WATCH: The magical moment this Royal Navy sailor proposed to his girlfriend after eight months at sea

IT WAS an incredibly emotional moment as PO Andrew Clark wowed his girlfriend with a stunning marriage proposal '“ mere seconds after stepping off of HMS Middleton in Portsmouth this morning.
Andrew Clark proposes to Kayleigh Stollery after eight months on board HMS Middleton. Picture: Habibur RahmanAndrew Clark proposes to Kayleigh Stollery after eight months on board HMS Middleton. Picture: Habibur Rahman
Andrew Clark proposes to Kayleigh Stollery after eight months on board HMS Middleton. Picture: Habibur Rahman

Andrew, who had spent the past eight months on board the ship, proposed to Kayleigh in front of the crowds of families waiting in the naval base.

The couple have been dating for more than three years, having first met in a pub.

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Andrew said: '˜I bumped into Kayleigh while I was out for a drink with a navy friend and the rest is history.

Andrew Clark proposes to Kayleigh Stollery after eight months on board HMS Middleton. Picture: Habibur RahmanAndrew Clark proposes to Kayleigh Stollery after eight months on board HMS Middleton. Picture: Habibur Rahman
Andrew Clark proposes to Kayleigh Stollery after eight months on board HMS Middleton. Picture: Habibur Rahman

'˜We literally just started talking and it went from there.

'˜The deployment has been a really long one '“ to get the answer I was hoping for is fantastic.

'˜It was awesome. The weather originally was meant to be stinking but it's actually really nice today.

'˜I was really nervous coming off that gangway; I had a little bit of whisky beforehand!'

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Kayleigh, from London, said: '˜I'm quite shocked and a little embarrassed '“ I really wasn't expecting it.

'˜I'm definitely blushing but I'll also definitely need a drink.

'˜We've got the whole family here today and we're going to have a big party together this evening.'

Andrew is now back on dry land for six weeks with his new fiancee.

'˜After eight-and-a-half months it's definitely needed,' Andrew said.