Emma Watson is planning to "break tradition" and propose to her boyfriend.
The ‘Beauty and the Beast’ actress has been smitten with William ‘Mack’ Knight since they started dating 18 months ago and now they are ready to take the "next step" in their relationship, she reportedly wants to make a statement for gender equality by being the one to pop the question.
A source said: "Emma and Mack have been telling a select few of their friends that they feel ready to take their relationship to the next step and get engaged.
"Emma is really thrilled and happy – he’s been a great support to her and has been a wonderful boyfriend.
"But being so passionate about gender equality in her career has really opened her up to a new way of thinking about the traditional roles that men and women play, specifically when it comes to marriage.
"Emma has been telling friends she wants to be the one to propose to him and break tradition.
"She doesn’t see why it should be such a big deal and wants to encourage more women and young girls to think differently."
The 27-year-old beauty is planning a "quirky and unique" proposal, but even though she hasn’t asked the tech entrepreneur to be her husband yet, they are already making wedding plans.
The insider added: "The next stage for them is definitely a big gesture of commitment and Emma loves the idea of being the one to get down on one knee.
"She would want to do something quite quirky and unique in her own way.
"Mack always encourages her when it comes to her passion for gender equality.
"She’d love a really unconventional wedding and to appease her family she’s been thinking about a venue somewhere in England, like Oxfordshire. She and Mack spent time together there at Christmas and they loved it, but they haven’t ruled out New York, which is closer to Mack’s family."
Emma is said to be particularly happy with the fact she can lead an ordinary life with the Princeton graduate away from the spotlight.
The source told Grazia magazine: "As much as she loves her career, it can also frighten her, and she hates the thoughts of losing touch with reality.
"She loves that he leads a relatively normal life and Mack has been a total rock for her in that sense. She can’t think of anyone else she’d rather be with."