Sienna Miller's rumoured proposal to boyfriend Rhys Iffans this year and Friend's Monica romancing boyfriend Chandler is evidence of an emerging trend of female proposals, it has been revealed.

According to a survey by the National Wedding Show, nowadays just 38 per cent of men are getting on bended knee and suggesting wedding ideas.

However, ten per cent of women are taking control and proposing to their man, often offering a keepsake such as a watch or cufflinks as a form of proposal.

The show's Alexandra Campos said: "It's great to follow tradition but I think today's society is more open minded, so it's great to see women turning tradition on it's head and not waiting around for men."

She explained that as 43 per cent of people wish their proposal had been more romantic, if women do take the initiative and turn the tables around, they may have more input into the proposal of their dreams - perhaps one for the photo album!

Traditionally, women could only propose to a man on a leap year - such as 2008 - and that if the gentleman in question declined the offer of marriage, they had to pay the rejected lady compensation ranging from a kiss to £1!