Prince William could soon be the recipient of a champagne gift hamper as it has been announced the Queen has ordered in a substantial amount of bubbly - fuelling speculation of an engagement announcement.

Possibilities of a wedding have been suggested after visitors to the royal family's Dom Perignon cellars were shown the large haul, the Metro reports.

Allegedly, around 300 bottles were spotted on a trolley and a tour guide explained to the guests that such a figure is only usually seen in preparation of a major occasion.

The cost of which would be in the region of £3,000, the newspaper speculated.

Royal aides were believed to have cleared two days in June - possibly to mark the union of the prince and his girlfriend Kate Middleton.

The Liverpool Echo recently reported that around 12,000 bottles of champagne are expected to be sold at this weekend's Grand National event.