Couple are '˜leaping for joy' after emotional proposal

Daniel Baker, left, and Carmen Napper, right, at the Hotel Rafayel in London after Carmen proposed up The Shard on February 29. They are pictured with their daughters - Angel, three and Olivia, one - and hotel manager Iqbal latif

Carmen Napper, 34, asked partner Daniel Baker, 31, for his hand in marriage while they were at the top of The Shard in London after having the ring made in secret.

The couple’s daughters – three-year-old Angel and Olivia, one – wore matching T-shirts saying, ‘Daddy, will you marry our Mummy?’, which had to be hidden under cardigans until the family had ascended the landmark.

Carmen, who first met scaffolder Daniel in 2002, said: “I knew I had to do it this year because otherwise I’d have to wait another four years, so I just went for it.

“I was so emotional, I was crying. We’ve got two girls together and I love him with all my heart.

“We had two glasses of champagne waiting at the bar and I told one of the members of staff that I wanted to propose, so he offered to film it.”

Before the surprise moment, Daniel was none the wiser because Carmen had asked his boss to let him have two days off after revealing that she wanted to propose. The only other person who knew was her dad.

And as an extra treat, Carmen arranged for Daniel to enjoy a helicopter flight around the capital before dinner and a stay at their favourite Rafayel Hotel in Battersea.

The couple have not set a date yet, but Carmen wants to wait until Olivia is walking so she can accompany her down the aisle as a bridesmaid, along with her big sister.