Some presidential news. Henry Hager asked the President of the United States for permission to marry his daughter Jenna. The Washington Post has the full story.

With all the fake engagements going on in the news lately, it’s a welcome change of pace to see one that was initially denied turn out to be true.

You see, there was earlier speculation that the jewelry Jenna was wearing on her ring finger was an engagement ring. But the White House denied it, just like in 2005. They did finally make an announcement about the happy couple (pictures after the jump):

President and Mrs. Bush Happy to Announce Engagement of Jenna Bush

President and Mrs. George W. Bush are happy to announce the engagement of their daughter, Jenna Bush, to Mr. Henry Hager, son of the Honorable and Mrs. John H. Hager of Richmond, Virginia. Miss Bush and Mr. Hager became engaged Wednesday, August 15, 2007.

No wedding date has been set.

There’s even some speculation that Jenna is pregnant. I wouldn’t have mentioned it but I thought the same thing myself looking at recent pictures… I do hope she’s not… there are enough bad role models out there. Getting married because you have an unplanned pregnancy at 25 is not a great message to send our children from the President’s daughter.

But back to the ring. No official details yet, but when they were denying an engagement, they described the ring as “one she’s had for a while, and it’s not a serious rock but a couple tiny ones in some kind of antique filigree.”

Jenna’s twin Barbara has been known to wear costume jewelry on her ring finger as well. In retrospect, perhaps she was covering for sis?

This even prompted the Washington Post to speak to a Jeweler:

“It looks like a fun fashion ring,” said Faith Shah of D.C.’s Shah & Shah Appraisers after studying the photos. “My feeling is, if it was an engagement ring, we’d all know it.” Her pick for whenever Barbara actually gets engaged: “A beautiful antique cushion cut.”