Stockholm - Swedish Crown Princess Victoria has become engaged to her boyfriend Daniel Westling, the royal palace announced Tuesday, ending years of speculation.

The princess, 31, has been dating Westling since 2002.

The wedding was due in early summer 2010, the palace said, and Westling, 35, will be known as Prince Daniel, Duke of Vastergotland.

The couple expressed "tremendous joy" and happiness Tuesday. The formal announcement ends years of speculation over their plans for the future.

"This feels great," Victoria said shortly after sitting down on a sofa next to Westling in Princess Sibyllas' Apartment - at the royal palace in Stockholm.

The same room was used in 1976 when her parents, King Carl Gustaf and Queen Silvia, announced their engagement.

Victoria thanked Swedes for their "support."

The engagement was "conducted outdoors at Drottninhgolm palace," the couple said. Westling described it was "very moving."

Victoria said there was no single moment when she fell for Westling but that their friendship had developed and evolved into deep love and affection.

Her father famously described his feelings for Silvia as a big click.

Victoria said she felt very "safe and secure" with Westling and that they "completed each other," while he said there was "perfect chemistry."

The palace said the couple were still considering where they would have a future home.

In a clip on the palace website, the king said "This is a special day for us, but also for Sweden. This is of course a big event for our family."

"During the past years we have got to know Daniel and realize he is a young man who works hard and takes life seriously," he added.

The news conference and palace statement came after the government concluded a special meeting chaired by Prime Minister Fredrik Reinfeldt, and later convened at the royal palace for a cabinet meeting with King Carl Gustaf.

Under Swedish succession laws, the king and the government must give formal approval to an engagement.

The prime minister said "love has prevailed" at a separate news conference and in a formal statement concluded that "a woman of royal blood will have her man of the people."

Royalists and gossip magazines alike have been eagerly waiting for such an announcement, and scores of people gathered earlier outside the palace on the fine winter day.

Westling met Victoria in 2001 when he was her personal trainer. Westling operates several fitness centres.

He said he planned to remain owner of the business, but would not have a role as managing director.

During the years as the crown princess's beau he has maintained a low profile and rarely given any interviews.

Westling said he planned to support his wife, the future queen of Sweden and also hoped to serve in some capacity to help promote Swedish industry.

Crown Princess Victoria, next-in-line to the Swedish throne, is popular with Swedish people, and has won respect for speaking out on her struggle with dyslexia.

In the spring of 1998, she began academic studies in political science and history at Yale University in the US.

The princess studied French in Paris from 1996 to 1997, and has also completed a one-year course for diplomats at the Swedish Foreign Ministry, studying subjects such as foreign and security policy, consular matters and foreign aid.

There is potential for future royal weddings in Sweden too, since Victoria has two siblings, Prince Carl Philip and Princess Madeleine. (dpa)