Sorry Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton… why Zara Tindall is Prince Charles’ leading royal lady
THE ROYALS were out in full force at Ascot yesterday and the sweet bond between Prince Charles and Zara Tindall was on display for all to see.
The uncle, 70, and niece, 38, were pictured throwing their arms around each other and laughing at the famous racing event – and a royal expert has said they are closer than Charles is to Kate or Meghan.
Horse-lover Zara and Charles have frequently been pictured affectionately hugging, kissing and laughing together.
This behaviour is far less formal than his rather stilted embraces with his daughters-in-law.
Royal expert Rob Jobson, who has written a biography about Prince Charles, told Fabulous Digital that the heir to the throne’s bond with Zara is very close.
He said: “Zara is blood family. He has known her since she was a baby so it is far closer than say his relationships with his daughter-in-laws.
“Charles is closest to his sister Anne of all his siblings and has always been very supportive and affectionate towards his niece.”
Charles even gave Zara her name when she was born, and Princess Anne of her daughter: "The baby made a rather sudden and positive arrival.
"And my brother thought Zara was an appropriate name."
It is alleged that Charles was "disappointed" when he found out Prince Harry was a boy and not the daughter he craved, and Editor in Chief of Majesty magazine Ingrid Seward believes Charles may see Zara as a surrogate daughter.
She said: "Perhaps he does see her as the daughter he never had. I don’t think they see that much of each other, which he is why he is always so pleased to be in her company.
"I think Charles loves Zara as she is such a decent girl without any pretensions – he does like blondes, but I don’t think that has anything to do with it!
"She is like Camilla in the sense that she can always see the positive side of life and has a great sense of humour."
In contrast to with his niece, Charles's interactions with the Duchess of Cambridge and Sussex are friendly, but without any lingering hugs or close body contact.
Body language expert Judi James said: "Zara and husband Mike have the most openly spontaneous and tactile body language in the royal family both apparently uninhibited and fearless when it comes to PDAs with more formal relatives like Prince Charles.
"This produced some stunningly touching poses at Ascot. Charles and Zara's body language is miles away from the way he reacts to both Kate and Meghan.
"When Charles is in charge of instigating the PDAs, as he does with Kate and Meghan, his touch and proximity are slightly more formal.
"His two-arm clasp with Kate maintains some distance, as does the way he turns his head in the cheek kiss.
"Charles’s approach to Meghan looks strongly paternal and protective as well as fond. He also often adopts the hands behind the back approach that would be his signature style with other family members."
Ingrid believes that the seeds of Charles and Zara's close relationship were planted on playdates with William and Harry.
"Charles has always been very fond of Zara. As a child she would come to Highgrove to play with William and cause chaos with her naughtiness," she said.
“But he loved her as she was - is -such a character and makes him laugh. Zara has a huge personality and Charles loves that.
“What you see is what you get with Zara.”
Of course Zara isn't Charles' only niece - he is also uncle to Prince Andrew's daughters, Princess Eugenie and Princess Beatrice. Yet Charles and Andrew aren't thought to be close; indeed their relationship has been dogged by accusations of a 'long-running "feud".
Any coolness between the brothers may have affected how much time Charles spent with his nieces.
Growing up, Prince Harry and Prince William were extremely close to their cousins Zara, who is the Queen's eldest granddaughter, and Peter Phillips.
According to Charles: The Misunderstood Prince by Sally Bedell Smith, as young kids they would spend their time together playing “outdoors on the hills and by the rivers and lakes”.
They would also have “barbecues and picnics” and even rode quad-bikes.
Sally wrote: “Once when William was riding on a quad bike with his cousin Peter Phillips at Balmoral, the two boys crashed into Peter’s sister Zara, who was on a go-kart, bringing down a lamppost.”
Zara, the daughter of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips, is now married rugby union player Mike Tindall, 40. The couple have two daughters, Mia Grace, five, and Lena Elizabeth, one.
Although he might not be as close to Meghan as he is to Zara, Prince Charles is said to have welcomed her into the fold, and even walked her down the aisle.
Charles is also said to get along well with Kate Middleton. After her engagement to Prince William was announced, the duchess said he had been "very friendly" to her.
But only time will tell whether either of the duchesses will be able to come close to Zara, Charles' golden girl.
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