She doesn’t know it yet, but the newborn daughter of Zara Phillips and former UK rugby captain Mark Tindall is going to live a life only a privileged few ever experience – with ponies, a nanny, acres to play on, royal schooling – and a hands-on mum to boot.
Zara, the Queen’s eldest granddaughter, gave birth on Saturday morning in Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. The proud parents are yet to announce the name of the bub, the Queen’s fourth great-grandchild and 16th in line to the throne.
But her equestrian star mother has been open about how she plans to raise her daughter. Being born into the royal fold means baby Tindall will grow up with tradition and privileges to burn, but her laid-back mummy is intent on giving her a classic country childhood with ponies and lots of pets.
And while Zara says she will employ a nanny to help care for her daughter, she also wants to be a hands-on mum.
“I love cooking and will definitely cook for the baby,” Zara told The Australian Women’s Weekly.
The Olympic silver medallist, who left the hospital a few hours after giving birth, is eager to get back to her career in eventing, and recently moved to a cottage on the estate of her mother, Princess Anne, to make that easier.
Anne’s 295ha Gatcombe Estate in Gloucestershire houses Zara’s horses, meaning the new mum will be able to spend more time with her baby while she works, training her racehorses and eventers.
This also means that Princess Anne will be on hand to dispense motherly help and grandmotherly cuddles.
The baby, like her mother, won’t bear a royal title, and will simply be known as Miss Tindall. But when it comes to her education, she will have only the best, likely attending the same school her great uncle Prince Charles and mother attended – Gordonstoun in Moray, Scotland.
