Tying The Knot

The holidays are over for us normies, but not for UFC star Anthony Pettis and his smokin' hot fiancee ... who are out in sunny Aruba getting their safari on!

It ain’t just any average trip -- Anthony popped the question on NYE at the Aruba Ritz-Carlton ... and Lisette said yes!!

Since then, the future Mr. and Mrs. “Showtime” have been living it up on the island -- exploring ancient ruins, off-roading at a safari and hitting the beach with flamingos are just a few of the activities they've been getting into.

Not like Anthony really cares -- anything with Lisette is winning.

Congrats!!

Paris Hilton can't take her eyes off her new BFF ... and we're not talking about her fiance Chris Zylka.

Paris had a laser lock on the giant 20-carat, $2 million engagement ring Tuesday as the couple took a romantic stroll around Aspen.

Not on accident -- of this we're sure -- Paris was wearing fingerless gloves, but no glove could hope to contain that gem.

As we reported, Zylka popped the question mid-mountain over New Year's weekend -- and he's probably been competing with the rock for Paris' attention ever since.

Paris Hilton's monstrous diamond engagement ring is worth about $2 million -- but the crazier part is when Chris Zylka knew she was the one, and ordered the rock.

Celeb jeweler Michael Greene, who designed Paris' multi-million dollar bling, tells TMZ ... Chris reached out to place his order 5 to 6 months ago, back in the summer.

Keep in mind ... Paris and Chris had just gone public with their relationship back in February, so it was likely less than a year into things that he decided he wanted to lock down Paris.

Greene also tells us the huge diamond -- 20 carats strong -- took about 4 months to cut, and the setting only took a couple days. He says Chris came in to get it right before their Aspen ski trip.

We're told Chris was shaking when he picked it up because he was "so nervous." With that kind of hardware in his pocket, we would be too.

Paris Hilton is engaged to her actor BF Chris Zylka ... and hopefully this one will stick.

Paris revealed the news Monday, saying the 'Leftovers' actor got on one knee during a holiday ski trip in Aspen over the weekend.

Chris and Paris have been dating for a little less than a year now -- they made their relationship Instagram official in February. She seemed smitten with him back in March when we got 'em at LAX.

People first reported this engagement -- which is at least her second, and possibly third. She was reportedly engaged to Jason Shaw, and was definitely betrothed to Paris Latsis.

Based on previous attempts, her parents probably won't buy it until she actually walks down the aisle. Congrats!

Kim Zolciak-Biermann says renewing your wedding vows isn't the spark for a fizzled out relationship -- but if that's what you're aiming for ... she's got a suggestion.

We got Kim and her hubby, Kroy, at LAX and asked if they recommend married couples renew their vows -- like they did this past spring -- to reignite romance.

Add Gloria Allred to the list of people pumped for another Royal Wedding in May ... because she's a huge Meghan Markle fan.

The famed women's rights attorney tells TMZ she's stoked Prince Harry's marrying a feminist, and hopes she'll rub off on him. She says Meghan has a chance to truly change the world in her new role ... far beyond just the normal photo ops.

As for Markle's history of fighting for women's equality ... Gloria refers to a story of an 11-year-old Meghan speaking out against a sexist dish soap commercial in 1993 and writing letters to powerful women -- including Allred -- to make a difference.

And it worked. Yeah ... seems like Harry's found a good one.

This is a fine hello for Meghan Markle ... she attended her first Christmas Lunch hosted by the Queen, and one of the Royals thought it was a good idea to wear a piece of jewelry that disparages people of color.

Princess Michael, who is married to one of the Queen's cousins, was seen arriving at the Buckingham Palace soiree wearing a Blackamoor brooch. It's an 18th Century antique that many think signifies racial conquest. It features a dark-skinned man wearing a turban ... the line of jewelry is known for its depictions of people of color in positions of servitude.

Meghan is biracial and has been outspoken about her experiences with racism. She did not sit at the same table as Princess Michael and we don't know if they exchanged words, but it's an intimate gathering.

Eli Manning is still LOVED by his NY Giants WRs ... just ask supermodel Chanel Iman, who says the QB is definitely invited to her upcoming wedding to Sterling Shepard.

Sterling proposed to Chanel earlier this month after roughly 11 months of dating -- and now the wedding planning begins!

We had to ask about the guest list ... and that's when Iman raved about Eli Manning -- saying she's a huge fan of the quarterback both on and off the field.

In fact, Chanel says the guy doesn't even need to get them a wedding gift ... but c'mon, she doesn't really mean that, right?!

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's official engagement photos are out ... but some folks are looking right through 'em ... asking if Meg's outfit is fit for a princess.

Kensington Palace released the royal couple's professional portraits Thursday, taken by celeb fashion photog Alexi Lubomirski at Frogmore House in Windsor.

Lots of people blanched at Meghan's sheer top ... part of a $75k Ralph & Russo gown, which many called inappropriate for a Royal -- especially when sizing her up to Kate Middleton in her 2010 engagement pics with Prince William, where she was fully covered.

Meghan did end up changing into something more cozy/less revealing in another photo -- but that didn't stop the controversy from bubbling.

Meghan Markle's clothing choices for the engagement photos with Prince Harry scream one thing ... "Peace out, America. I'm a princess now, bitches!"

According to the palace, that gown she's draped in for those engagement pics with Prince Harry was made by British couture house, Ralph & Russo. It's from their fall 2016 line -- black tulle gown, embroidered gold feather thread work .. the works -- and costs about £56,000.

That's about $75k in this country, where Meghan used to live.

Her white sweater is also British -- cashmere by Victoria Beckham for £690 ... $920 to us, the forgotten people.

Prince Harry flies a helicopter, so it should be no surprise he was behind the wheel driving Meghan Markle to Buckingham Palace, but still ... where's the butler?

Megs rode shotgun Wednesday as they headed off to Queen Elizabeth's pre-Christmas luncheon. Not to be outdone, big bro Prince William -- who also flies a mean bird -- insisted on playing chauffeur for Kate Middleton.

We get it, the Princes are totally down-to-earth kinda guys ... but can't QE2 hook 'em up with an Uber? Especially for what looks like a formal family affair.

Just sayin' ...

Meghan Markle could be going in a way different direction than Kate Middleton for her wedding dress ... IF she goes with Israeli designer Inbal Dror.

Dror confirmed Monday she was contacted by the Royal Family about possibly dressing Meghan for the big day with Prince Harry -- and TMZ has obtained the 3 sketches she submitted.

While Kate's Alexander McQueen was more of an a-line gown, Dror's designs are all body-hugging. All 3 include long sleeves -- a tradition for royal brides. See Princess Di, Kate and even Camilla.

Most of Dror's designs go for $8k to $10k, but this is next level. Keep in mind, Kate's dress was reportedly almost $500k. It's not a done deal either -- Dror will certainly be competing with other top designers.

Meghan's got great taste, though -- Dror dressed Beyoncé for the Grammys last year, and she's also fitted Naomi Watts.

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle DID not choose their wedding date for any historical significance ... that is unless they're both huge fans of the Kennedys or the Buttafuocos. Ya never know.

We did some research, and the May 19 date of the Royal nuptials has a past that could be labeled rather macabre. It's the date Amy Fisher shot and severely wounded Joey Buttafuoco's wife in 1992.

It's also the day the first person died from the bird flu, along with being the death date of T.E. Lawrence and Jackie Kennedy Onassis. And speaking of her -- May 19, 1962 is the date Marilyn Monroe famously performed a sultry version of "Happy Birthday" for JFK ... with the First Lady in attendance.

May 19 also saw an infamous beheading and the jailing of an Italian movie star. You get the picture.

One positive note: Joey Ramone was born that day.Check out more below!!!

Meghan Markle and Prince Harry finally scraped together enough dough to pay their deposit and lock in a wedding date.

The palace announced Friday the couple will do the damn thing on May 19. That's one week earlier than a British tabloid had reported it would be, and means they will NOT tie the knot on a 3-day weekend. Bummer for their guests.

Nothing particularly special about the date in British royal history, anyway.

It is, however, the birth date of Malcolm X, Ho Chi Minh and Kim Zolciak. Sooo ... there's that.

Cardi B is the fiancée we all want, 'cause she doesn't make her man choose between a brand new car or a fancy watch for his birthday -- she just buys both.

Cardi was with Offset Wednesday night at The MacArthur in DTLA to ring in his 26th birthday. On the way out, she gave him the big gift first -- a new Rolls-Royce Wraith!!!

You can tell he was stoked by the way he thanks his bride-to-be -- nothin' says "love you" like a nice squeeze -- but the presents weren't over from there. Looks like she also bought him a fully blinged out watch! And Cardi made it clear to us -- she put down her own cash for the goods.

Aside from high-priced gifts, Offset also had his pals Quavo, Takeoff, Big Sean, Swae Lee, Lil Yachty, G-Eazy and Ashanti there to celebrate.

Meghan Markle is going full Karate Kid ahead of her Royal nuptials -- because she's hired Michael Jackson's former bodyguard to learn how to defend herself ... TMZ has learend.

Our Royal sources tell us Meghan has hired celeb security adviser and trainer Matt Fiddes to teach her martial arts and self-defense -- as well as to get her in shape ahead of her wedding with Prince Harry in May.

Meghan just landed back in L.A. Wednesday to spend time with her mom ahead of the holidays -- and we're told Matt booked a last-minute flight to Hollywood this week, so the training could begin STAT.

Matt's a natural fit for Meghan. He owns one of the biggest martial arts franchises in the world -- Matt Fiddes Martial Arts -- and works with tons of celebs, including Tom Cruise.

He's also got close ties with the Royal Family -- MJ was tight with Princess Diana, and he became part of her inner circle. Plus ... he's a Brit, so he'll be geographically desirable.

We're told Meghan's endgame is not about fitness -- sources close to Matt tell us Meghan hired him specifically to learn self-defense. Sounds like she's supplementing her hostage training.

Hi-ya!