Buckingham Palace has confirmed Zara Phillips will marry Mike Tindall on July 30th, ending weeks of intrigue.

England rugby player Tindall and Phillips – the oldest granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II – will marry at the Canongate Kirk on the Royal Mile.

The couple announced their plans to marry in December, shortly after Prince William and Kate Middleton revealed they planned to marry on April 29th.

Thousands of tourists are expected to line the streets of London for the marriage of Prince Williams, while the Phillips marriage will be a comparatively private affair.

Miss Phillips, 29, is not a working member of the royal family, but remains 12th in line to the throne.

She is perhaps most famous in the UK for winning individual gold in three-day eventing at the World Equestrian Games in Germany in 2006.

Miss Phillips has since missed two Olympic Games after her horse, Toytown, suffered injuries, but is hoping to compete in the London 2012 Games.

Tindall currently plays for and captains Gloucester, with former player Iain Balshaw in line for the role of best man.

The service at the Canongate Kirk will be followed by a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.