REPORTS were circulating today that the Duke of York may be preparing to marry a North Yorkshire millionairess.

However, staff at the estate of Lightwater Valley founder Robert Staveley - whose daughter, Amanda, is the subject of the speculation - remained tight-lipped about the prospect of royal wedding bells.

The housekeeper at the Ripon property told the Evening Press today: "I do not know anything about it, and I've absolutely no comment to make."

She said Mr Staveley was away on business and not available.

Reports today suggest Prince Andrew could be planning to tie the knot with Amanda, who who was educated at Queen Margaret's School, Escrick, and now lives in London.

Last March, Amanda's father said the Prince and his daughter had been "seeing quite a lot of each other".

It is now claimed they see each other at least three times a week.

Millionaire Mr Staveley, who created the Lightwater Valley theme park on farmland before selling his shares, is based at North Stainley, near Ripon.

High-flying Amanda, 30, is the sole shareholder in a Cambridge venture capital firm.

Reports suggest former model Amanda would not take a royal title if the marriage went ahead.

Updated: 10:43 Tuesday, October 14, 2003