Lance Corporal Wayne Hutchinson proposed to his stunned girlfriend at a welcome home parade through Derby.
The officer, from Derby, was one of 180 from the 9th/12th Royal Lancers who paraded through the city centre today following their final tour of Afghanistan.
A packed Market Place saw him get down on one knee in front of Katy Blood, 24, and popping the question before slipping a ring on her finger when she said yes.
L Cpl Hutchinson, 24, had asked Katy's parents' permission and was glad the big moment had finally arrived.
He said: "I am relieved that she said yes!
"I talked about it while I was away and thankfully her parents said I could do it."
