The bags are packed, an idyllic destination has been booked and an unsuspecting partner is strolling through airport security, blissfully unaware that their love is soon to pop the question.
But the sweet surprise is abuptly foiled when security staff pull over the hand luggage and rifle through it in front of everyone – exposing the ring box and dashing all semblance of a romantic gesture.
It’s a scenario that as no doubt affected several proposals over the years and devastated partners who were desperately hoping to kick off engaged life with a sweet surprise – but thankfully, a UK airport has come to the rescue to help out people about to propose.
Those hoping to put a ring on it overseas will now be able to Ask for Harry at security at both London Luton Airport, alerting staff to check luggage with discretion.
The initiative hopes to encourage more people to ask security for ‘Harry’ so security baggage handlers can check through luggage discreetly, without pulling out the ring and spoiling the surprise.
When checking bags through security, proposers should simply ask ‘Does Harry still work here?’ which will alert baggage handlers to surprise contents.
The new code will apply at London Luton airport and has been launched in collaboration with the jewellery company Queensmith.
It comes after a 2024 Marriage Proposal Report that revealed that 53 per cent of UK couples opt to pop the question overseas, and the sandy shores of Italy and Greece were reportedly the top locations for a proposals abroad.
A new airport initiative allowing people to bring surprise engagement rings through security has been launched to reduce the risk of spoiling proposal
A poll by Queensmith revealed that 90 per cent of hopeful proposers conceal engagement rings in their pockets or hand luggage – a move that could risk having to get the ring out in front of their future fiancé
A poll by Queensmith revealed that 90 per cent of hopeful proposers conceal engagement rings in their pockets or hand luggage – a move that could risk having to get the ring out in front of their future fiancé.
According to the same poll, 75 per cent of those risk takers would prefer if there was a better option available to avoid spilling the secret.
While the code word won’t stop bags from being checked, it will alert staff to check with caution and do so without accidentally revealing the ring.
Airport staff instruct flyers hoping to use the secret signal to simply go through security as normal.
Then, if a bag does get pulled, they can simply ask ‘Does Harry still work here?’ which will alert staff that you’re carrying something special, ensuring the surprise isn’t spoilt.
One flyer revealed the anxiety he experienced attempting to bring the ring through undetected through security.
James Copeland from Middlesbrough said: ‘I always planned for the worst case scenario. My biggest fear at airport security was losing the ring if my luggage went missing, so I decided to keep it in my hand luggage. But this added a whole new layer of worry.
‘Kitty often asks me to carry extra liquids, as well as having snacks in my bag, so I knew there was a chance she could accidentally see the ring. To hide it, I tucked the box inside a pair of socks, hoping she’d think it was just extra clothes.
‘My worry was if the ring was discovered in my hand luggage I would then have to propose in the middle of the terminal, still in the UK, and not on our planned trip to Niagara Falls!
John Stevenson from Chelmsford also offered his top tips for safely securing the secret ring through the airport without going detected.
He recalled his own fear when travelling online future fiancé, Emma, saying: ‘I was very nervous going through airport security especially as I had to do it more than once on the trip.
‘My main concern was that the security staff would open my bag in front of Emma and the surprise would be ruined. I ensured I was in a separate queue and Emma went through before me just in case my bag beeped.
‘The internal panic when my bag went through the machine was intense… quickly followed by the relief when nothing happened. That happened four separate times! I would also constantly check if the ring was still in my bag as I had concealed it in an outer pocket. I felt as though I was doing something illegal!
‘Make sure you’re insured! As long as you’ve planned your proposal spot and are careful when travelling, you’ll be fine. Security staff are usually very understanding in these cases; after all, they see this kind of thing daily.
My one piece of advice? Stay calm. Acting nervous at the airport is a dead giveaway to your partner!’
According to the same poll, 75 per cent of those risk taking ring bearers would preder if there was a better option available to avoid spilling the secret
When checking bags through security, proposers should simply ask ‘Does Harry still work here?’ which will alert baggage handlers to surprise contents
Clare Armstrong, Head of Guest Experience at London Luton Airport said: ‘The last thing we want is to spoil a well-planned proposal by accidentally revealing the surprise before they even board the plane.
‘That’s why we’re so excited for Queensmith’s ‘Ask for Harry’, helping make the proposal journey a little easier for our passengers.
‘After all, there are far more romantic places to pop the question than our security hall!’