Renee Zellweger and Ant Anstead's friends say 'an engagement could be very soon'

Renee Zellweger and Ant Anstead are getting more serious, according to their pals, who believe ‘an engagement could be very soon’ after just over a year of dating.

​'[They] are so happy and super excited to be mapping out their long-term future together,’ a source told Us Weekly. 

While duo have ‘deliberately downplayed wedding talk’ the insider revealed marriage is ‘something they’ve both been leaning toward for a while.’

Wedding bells: Renee Zellweger and Ant Anstead are getting more serious, according to their pals, who believe 'an engagement could be very soon' after just over a year of dating

Wedding bells: Renee Zellweger and Ant Anstead are getting more serious, according to their pals, who believe ‘an engagement could be very soon’ after just over a year of dating

Despite ‘trying not to get too far ahead of themselves’ when ‘it comes to their exact arrangements,’ their friends believe wedding bells are in their near future.

This comes after the source noted ‘they’ve taken their time to do this right, living in separate houses and not rushing into anything.’ 

The couple have been inseparable since they began dating after meeting in the summer of 2021 on the set of his Discovery+ show ‘Celebrity IOU: Joyride.’

¿'[They] are so happy and super excited to be mapping out their long-term future together,' a source told Us Weekly

​'[They] are so happy and super excited to be mapping out their long-term future together,’ a source told Us Weekly

Ant is currently embroiled in a messy custody battle with ex-wife Christina Hall, the mother of their two-year-old son Hudson. The toddler has forged a close bond with Ant’s Oscar winner girlfriend.

He was previously married to Louise Anstead from 2005 to 2017 and then to Christina from 2018 to 2021.

He has three children: two with Louise named Amelie and Archie and Hudson with Christina.

Nearing engagement: While duo have 'deliberately downplayed wedding talk' the insider revealed marriage is 'something they've both been leaning toward for a while'

Nearing engagement: While duo have ‘deliberately downplayed wedding talk’ the insider revealed marriage is ‘something they’ve both been leaning toward for a while’

Renée has also had a few high-profile relationships in the past.

She was engaged to comedian Jim Carrey from 1999 to 2000, and she married Kenny Chesney in 2005 though they annulled the marriage just four months later.

More recently, the Bridget Jones’s Diary star was in a relationship with musician Doyle Bramhall II from 2012 until 2019.

Whirlwind:  Despite 'trying not to get too far ahead of themselves' when 'it comes to their exact arrangements,' their friends believe wedding bells are in their near future

Whirlwind:  Despite ‘trying not to get too far ahead of themselves’ when ‘it comes to their exact arrangements,’ their friends believe wedding bells are in their near future

Ant filed for full custody of son Hudson and blasted Christina, 38, as an unfit mother in court documents, which were ultimately denied.

In the documents, Ant also claimed Christina had been negligent when it came to both his and their son Hudson’s medical safety.

However, Ant was denied his bid for full custody presently but still had the chance to make a case for temporary custody during a hearing that was set for this week.

No rush:  This comes after the source noted 'they've taken their time to do this right, living in separate houses and not rushing into anything'

No rush:  This comes after the source noted ‘they’ve taken their time to do this right, living in separate houses and not rushing into anything’

The legal documents state that Christina also needs a chance at arguing her side of the case before any legal rulings can be made.

Christina defended herself in a statement where she called herself a ‘good mother’ and blasted her ex for taking their custody issues to the court rather than having it ‘handled privately.’

‘What Ant is doing deeply saddens me,’ Hall said in a statement.

She seemed to imply that the exes had had discussions about custody and claimed that Anstead had ignored her hopes of resolving the matter behind closed doors.

‘If this was really about Hudson, as he says, this should have been handled privately with a private judge or mediation, as myself and my attorney have suggested,’ she continued.

‘I have had my share of ups and downs but I am a good mom and I love my children with all my heart and I will always protect them,’ she concluded.

Exes: Ant was previously married to Louise Anstead from 2005 to 2017 and then to Christina Haack from 2018 to 202

Ant was previously married to Christina Haack (now Hall) from 2018 to 2021

Renée and Ant spend most of their down time at his property in Laguna Beach and the Bridget Jones alum has also been getting to know his three kids.

They appear to be head over heels in love and aren’t afraid to show it, having been spotted together quite often.

A source previously revealed, ‘Ant and Renée are going strong.’

‘Their relationship is progressing naturally. They’ve just been happy together and look forward to growing as a couple.’

The source added, ‘[They] can’t wait to see what the new year has in store for the both of them.’

source: dailymail.co.uk