Tying The Knot

Ryan Lochte just went into his last flip turn before marriage, and he's racing toward the finish line ... TMZ has learned.

Sources close to the 6-time Gold Medal-winning swimmer tell us ... Ryan and his fiancee, Kayla Rae Reid, picked up their marriage license paperwork together last week in Gainesville, FL.

We're told "marriage is imminent" ... but it's unclear exactly how soon the couple will be walking down the aisle. Although the license is good for 60 days, from what we're told, they'll get it done long before that deadline.

As we reported ... Ryan proposed to Kayla on top of a mountain in October 2016, and they announced she was pregnant a couple months later.

Meghan Markle's not the only one in her family planning a wedding -- but her half-brother's might be on hold after his fiancee got busted for assaulting him.

Darlene Blount was arrested in Oregon Sunday night -- just before midnight, actually -- after what cops describe as a booze-fueled altercation. Blount was booked for 4th degree assault about 4 hours into 2018. Happy new year!

Darlene is engaged to Thomas Markle, Meghan's half-brother. They have the same father, but don't appear to be close anymore. Thomas told the Daily Mail -- which first reported the arrest -- he hasn't seen Meghan since 2011 when she moved to take her role in "Suits."

Paris Hilton and the Palms Casino in Vegas have a very special relationship ... so it's fitting they're both looking forward to a big 2018.

The Palms put up a congratulatory shout-out to Paris on their marquee this week in honor of her recent engagement to Chris Zylka ... and also plans to gift her a piece of its iconic sign when it gets replaced later this year, as part of a $485 mil property renovation.

So, why all the love? Well, Hilton's been with the hotel and casino since day 1 -- she opened it in 2001 while wearing a million-dollar dress made of casino chips.

We're told because Paris is part of Palms' history ... Palms wanted part of its history to be with her. Oh, and it says if she needs a place to celebrate her bachelorette party ... "our door is always open for you."

Paris Hilton's new fiance has been relegated to precious cargo No. 2 -- he was left eating dust after Paris and her $2 million engagement ring jumped into a waiting SUV.

This video is hilarious ... Chris Zylka was virtually kicked to the curb after the happy couple arrived at LAX Thursday night. Paris and her new 20 carat ring were already secured in the whip, and while Chris was still loading up ... the ride bolted.

NBD ... Chris plays it off pretty smoothly. Welcome to the rest of your life, bro.

The only downside to getting a $2 million engagement ring, is having to protect the engagement ring -- but Paris Hilton's hired some full-time muscle to get the job done.

Sources close to Paris and her fiance, Chris Zylka, tell us they've had 24/7 security shadowing them -- and specifically the ring -- ever since he put a ring on it last weekend.

We're told Paris feels it's best to have someone on guard at all times because of the rash of celeb burglaries this past year ... including the jewelry heist at her aunt Kyle Richards' house. There's also the Paris ordeal her former BFF, Kim Kardashian, endured.

Our sources say Paris already has around the clock security at her home. The ring squad is always with her and that rock, but they're in street clothes ... so it's not so obvious.

Michael Jordan's oldest son is engaged ... and he popped the question with a diamond ring the size of a knuckle!!

29-year-old Jeffrey Jordan recently proposed to his longtime GF, Radina Aneva ... and she said, "Yes!"

Aneva works in the film industry in Los Angeles. Jordan is a former college basketball player, the oldest of MJ's 5 kids and goes by the nickname, "Heir Jordan."

No word on when the wedding will go down, but the two are definitely in planning mode.

Congrats!

Meghan Trainor and her "Spy Kids" star fiance are still basking in the glow of their recent engagement -- y'know that period where a simple stop on a street corner means let's make out.

Meghan and Daryl Sabara puckered up Wednesday during a stroll around WeHo. We'd say the smooch left 'em both feeling pretty good -- they walked off giggling, hand-in-hand.

As we reported ... Daryl got on one knee for Meghan just a couple days before Christmas, which also happened to be her 24th birthday.

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.