London - George Clooney’s parents have revealed they are “thrilled” that he is engaged, after the British law firm that employs the actor’s fiancee Amal Alamuddin confirmed the news on Monday.
Doughty Street Chambers in London said it was “delighted” that the human rights lawyer and the Oscar-winning heart-throb were to tie the knot.
It was confirming a report on Saturday in the US magazine People that 52-year-old Clooney, one of the world's most eligible bachelors, and Alamuddin were engaged.
“The barristers and staff of Doughty Street Chambers offer their best wishes and congratulations to Ms Amal Alamuddin, a member of chambers, and Mr George Clooney on their engagement to be married,” it said in a statement emailed to AFP.
Alamuddin, 36, is a Lebanese-born British attorney specialising in international law and human rights. Clooney has long shown interest in human rights issues such as the humanitarian crisis in Darfur.
Alamuddin's clients have included former Ukrainian premier Yulia Tymoshenko, whose detention she challenged before the European Court of Human Rights, and WikiLeaks founder Julian Assange, during his extradition proceedings.
Meanwhile Clooney’s father, broadcaster Nick Clooney, has praised his son’s new fiancee as a "wonderful young woman" and couldn't be happier that he is to walk down the aisle again.
Nick, 80, told Us Weekly: "We are thrilled. We have had an opportunity to interact with this wonderful young woman and these are two great people.
"We are thrilled at their decision and we hope for them the best."
However, Nick refused to be drawn on any further details about George's proposal, insisting it is information that should come from the 52-year-old star.
He added: "This is his time, not ours."
Nick's wife Nina Warren previously said she is "extremely happy" that her son is to tie the knot with the British human rights lawyer.
She said: "You can say I'm extremely happy, Amal's a lovely girl."
Nina admits she and her husband, who met Amal over a year ago, weren't surprised when they found out the couple had got engaged because they are well suited, due to their similar interest in international affairs.
She explained: "We weren't at all surprised when they told us they were engaged, and we couldn't be happier for them. On an intellectual level, they are equals. That is very important to him. Amal's world couldn't be more different from the Hollywood lifestyle."
Nina also believes Amal, 36, is completely different from George's previous girlfriends - including Stacy Keibler, Lisa Snowdon, and Renée Zellweger - because she has budding career and is very intelligent.
Asked if Amal is similar to other woman who have dated George, 52, she replied: "Heavens, no! She's a lawyer, she is brilliant, she is a very bright woman and at the very top of her career."
The couple first sparked rumours they had got engaged when the brunette beauty was spotted showing off a diamond sparkler on her ring finger as they indulged in sushi at Nobu in Malibu last Thursday, and her law firm later confirmed the news.
Alamuddin and Clooney were first seen in public as a couple in October and have since been seen on holiday in places including Tanzania and the Seychelles.
He was married to US actress Talia Balsam for four years between 1989 and 1993 but has shown little interest in settling down since, instead going through a string of younger model and actress girlfriends over the years. - Sapa-AFP and Bang Showbiz