Sofia Wellesley and James Blunt [Photo/Agencies]

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James Blunt has got engaged to his long-term girlfriend Sofia Wellesley.

The 'Bonfire Heart' singer is said to have popped the question to the 29-year-old blonde, who is the granddaughter of the Duke of Wellington, over the Christmas holidays.

A friend of the couple told the Daily Mail newspaper: "Everyone is talking about it. We were sort of expecting it but it is still great news."

The couple are expected to wed at the duke's Hampshire estate, Stratfield Saye, southern England, with celebrity guests already rumoured to include singing legend Sir Elton John, who helped launch James' career by offering him the support act slot on his 2004 tour.

James, 36, began dating Sofia at the start of 2012 after his sister Daisy introduced them.

She works as a legal consultant in London and attended Edinburgh University alongside Duchess Catherine's sister Pippa Middleton.

The 'You're Beautiful' hitmaker previously admitted he felt "lucky" to have found such an understanding girlfriend as Sofia.

He said: "I'm very happy at the moment with Sofia. It takes a strong person to be able to deal with somebody working in music. It's hard when you're with somebody and you become embroiled in something just because you were seen standing next to someone else.

"It takes a tough person to deal with that and I'm lucky to have her."