A romantic proposal stole the show at the St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City when a police officer marching in the procession stopped mid-route to propose to his longtime girlfriend in the crowd – and she luckily said yes.
NYPD Officer Matthew Kelly was dressed in his official uniform as he walked through the famous parade near the Upper East Side when he spotted his girlfriend.
Feeling lucky, he got down on one knee and asked her to marry him, much to the delight of the crowd cheering behind him.
I do! New York cop Matthew Kelly stopped mid-march during the St. Patrick’s Day parade Saturday to propose to his longtime girlfriend Victoria Bennett, pictured above
The two shared a sweet embrace after the moment that saw the crowds cheer them on
Kelly’s proud mother also shared the epic proposal on Facebook to announce the engagement
A stunner! Bennett showed off her glittering diamond engagement ring in above photo where Kelly beams in the back
His girlfriend Victoria Bennett was taken by surprise and covered her mouth in shock then said yes.
Revelers applauded the happy newly engaged couple, who have been dating for five years.
‘I didn’t want to hold up the parade,’ Kelly said on the proposal to the NY Post.
‘I feel like the luckiest man in the world that she would say yes to me,’ he added.
His mother posted the joyous enagagement on Facebook.
‘My son meet the love of his life and asked her to be his WIFE…congratulations to my son Matthew Kelly and Victoria Bennett!!! Love u both (sic),’ Mary Kelly wrote.
Love birds: Bennett, left, said yes and the crowd cheered on the couple, Kelly, right
The couple have been dating for five years but Bennett was still caught by surprise on Saturday
Smitten: Crowds cheered for the couple after she said yes and slipped on the ring, couple pictured above
Photos of the surprise moment capture the surprise on passerby’s faces, the supportive smiles of fellow officers, and Bennett’s shock, throwing her hands to her face when she sees the glittering ring.
After she said yes the couple shared a sweet kiss.
Kelly and fellow officers strutted down Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue for the 257th St. Patrick’s day parade, which is the largest in the world.
In addition to the proposal, crowds cheered on bagpipe bands and more than 100 marching bands that walked through.
Governor Andrew Cuomo opened the ceremony with a message of inclusion saying ‘We’re all immigrants’.
The Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar was also present and joined Gov. Cuomo in the march on Saturday.
Kelly marched with the New York Police Department during the procession that marched down Fifth Avenue in Manhattan
The procession saw a series of over 100 bands and bagpipe players and drummers in kilts
Crowds gathered in green and waving flags to celebrate the 257th parade in New York
Children wearing Ireland flag sashes mounted horses and strutted through the parade
Bagpipe players piped through Manhattan on Saturday in traditional garb to celebrate the Irish holiday