Zara gives birth... and is home SIX HOURS later: Royal's no-nonsense approach revealed as Mike Tindall tweets 'the girls are doing great'
- Zara, the Queen's granddaughter, gave birth to a 7lbs 12oz baby girl who is sixteenth in line to the throne
- New father Mike Tindall was present at the birth of their first-born child
- Baby, whose name is yet to be confirmed, is Queen's fourth great-grandchild but will bear no royal title
- Mother and baby are doing well and are already at home in Gatcombe Park
- Princess Anne spotted collecting her dogs after granddaughter's birth
- New mother expected to return to competitive horse riding following birth
By ANNA EDWARDS
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So perhaps it was no surprise that only six hours after giving birth to a daughter yesterday, Zara Phillips was back at home enjoying a cup of tea and phoning friends to tell them the news.
Her 7lb 12oz daughter was delivered on the NHS at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital with Zara’s rugby player husband, Mike Tindall, by her side.
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The Queen's granddaughter, Zara Phillips, seen here at the weekend, has given birth to a baby girl
Mike Tindall took to Twitter to say that both mother and daughter were 'doing great' and thanking everyone at the NHS hospital who helped his wife deliver their baby
Princess Anne collects some dogs from near the entrance to the Gatcombe Estate, where her grandchild is believed to be staying with Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall
A new arrival: Zara's brother Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn were seen leaving the estate after welcoming the new arrival
The latest addition to the royal family will grow up on Anne's Gatcombe Park estate near Minchinhampton
Sources close to the professional horsewoman said she was admitted to hospital on Thursday afternoon and gave birth early yesterday.
Indeed, by the time Buckingham Palace issued an announcement at 11.05am, the new family had long been back at their cottage on Princess’s Anne nearby Gatcombe Park estate.
The baby has not yet been named. Zara’s spokesman said: ‘As they opted not to know the sex of the baby, they will take some time to choose her name. Everyone is very, very happy.’
Zara, a former world champion eventer who won a silver medal with Team GB at the London Olympics, continued riding well into her pregnancy and has vowed that she will return to competitive eventing as soon as possible.
She married former rugby international Tindall in July 2011 having met him in a Sydney bar when he was in Australia for the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
When the pregnancy was announced, Tindall joked on Twitter that he hoped their child would not inherit his nose, which has been broken eight times during his rugby career. Yesterday he returned to Twitter to say: ‘Thanks so much for all your kind messages. Definitely the best day of my life today, so happy! The girls are both doing great!’
New grandparents: Linda Tindall, Captain Mark Phillips, Princess Anne and Phil Tindall have a new granddaughter to fuss over
Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall leave the Christmas Day service at Sandringham on December 25
The statement announcing the birth added: ‘The Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal, Captain Mark Phillips and Mike’s parents, Mr Phillip and Mrs Linda Tindall, are delighted with the news.
THE GIRL WHO IS 16TH IN LINE
Zara's baby is the Queen’s fourth great-grandchild and becomes 16th in line to the throne, one below her mother.
She will not bear a royal title. Her father Mike Tindall has no title himself and Zara, born down the female line, is not entitled to be an HRH, so their daughter will be plain Miss Tindall.
Zara’s father, Captain Mark Phillips, was believed to have been offered an earldom by the Queen when he married Princess Anne but chose not to take it.
For her part, Anne was adamant that her own son and daughter should enjoy a childhood unhindered by their royal status. Zara does not receive any public money and is not required to attend royal engagements, although she is occasionally seen at key events such as Trooping The Colour.
Her daughter will be a future playmate for her second cousin, six-month-old Prince George of Cambridge, to whom Zara is a godmother.
The new baby also has two first cousins on the royal side of the family, Peter and Autumn Phillips’s daughters Savannah and Isla.
‘This baby is the first child for Zara and Mike, the third grandchild for the Princess Royal and the fourth great-grandchild for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, and is 16th line to the throne.’
For her part, Anne was seen carrying on with life as normal at Gatcombe.
Wearing a long coat, hat and dark glasses, she was seen driving up to a gatehouse near the entrance to the estate and collecting several dogs before putting them into her 4x4 and driving back down the lane away from the main road.
New mothers who shared a maternity ward with Zara said the extra special arrival was kept quiet by midwives.
Charity worker Vicky Love, 34, who left the unit on Thursday after the arrival of 9lb 1oz son Isaac, said: ‘I had no idea. The staff did not say anything, and it seems as though she was treated the same as the rest of us.’
Her husband Peter, 37, a wine merchant, said: ‘It was all very normal – no armed guards, no police, nothing to suggest she was here.’
A spokesman for the hospital said: ‘Zara would have given birth in a room on her own and once it was established that mother and daughter were OK she would have been released. Most people leave here within six hours of giving birth.’
Zara and Tindall married at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh joined by the Queen and the rest of the royal family
The latest addition to the Royal Family will be known as plain Miss Tindall and will be a future playmate for her second cousin, six-month-old Prince George of Cambridge
WILL IT BE IAIN BALSHAW, PRINCE HARRY OR DOLLY MAUDE? THE POTENTIAL GODPARENTS
With a wide circle of friends and family that includes an eclectic mix of royalty, rugby players and racing folk, there’s no shortage of candidates for the role of godparent to the newest member of the Royal Family.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are both possible options as is Prince Harry, because Zara is known to be close to her cousins and is godmother to Prince George.
Another royal who could be asked is Zara’s brother Peter Phillips or his wife Autumn Kelly, and other Windsors such as Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie are also in the frame.
Zara’s best friend, racehorse trainer, Dolly Maude, is a likely choice – Zara is already godmother to her seven-year-old son Ted Maude.
Ms Maude was also a maid of honour at Zara’s 2011 wedding to Mike Tindall, where she shared the honours with Stephanie Phillips, Zara’s 15-year-old half-sister and another potential godparent.
Zara’s decision to give birth on the NHS is typical of the unstuffy life she and her brother, Peter Phillips, have been allowed to live.
Indeed the Queen’s other two great-granddaughters, Peter’s daughters Savannah and Isla, were born at the same hospital.
Zara’s pregnancy was confirmed by the Palace in July, shortly after she fell off her horse during a competition.
She vowed to continue competing for as long as possible, but only days later the Daily Mail revealed that she had changed her mind.
She is hoping to enter the Badminton Horse Trials in May, followed by the World Equestrian Games in France in August.
She also has set her sights on competing in the Rio Olympics to be held in 2016.
An attempt to secure a place in the Great Britain squad will mean intensive training, however – not the easiest challenge with a young baby.
But Zara has already indicated she will take her baby with her on the eventing circuit, just as Anne did with her.
The princess competed in the Burghley Horse Trials in September 1981, four months after she gave birth to Zara.
The baby, whose name is yet to be confirmed, was born at the Gloucestershire Royal Hospital
The new baby, who was born in this NHS hospital, will be a future playmate for her second cousin, six- month-old Prince George of Cambridge
CHARLOTTE, VICTORIA OR ELIZABETH: WILL ZARA'S NEW BABY DAUGHTER BE NAMED IN HONOUR OF A PAST QUEEN?
Bookies are already betting on what new parents Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall will choose as their daughter's name.
The Princess Royal broke with tradition and gave her daughter Zara a name not readily associated with the British Royal Family.
But Zara and Mike could pick a moniker for their baby that harks back to monarchs of the past.
Among the favourites with bookmakers are:
CHARLOTTE
Queen Charlotte, who was born in 1744, was married to George III. Charlotte was actually her second name - her first being Sophie. A keen botanist, she founded Kew Gardens, had 15 children - 13 of whom survived - and was a patron of the arts. Some historians have argued that she was of African descent. Her daughter, born in 1766, was also called Charlotte and later known as the Princess Royal.
George IV also named his only child Charlotte, but she died in childbirth at the age of 21, leading to a mass outpouring of grief across the nation
Queen Charlotte, who was born in 1744, was married to George III. Charlotte was actually her second name - her first being Sophie. A keen botanist, she founded Kew Gardens, had 15 children - 13 of whom survived - and was a patron of the arts. Some historians have argued that she was of African descent. Her daughter, born in 1766, was also called Charlotte and later known as the Princess Royal.
George IV also named his only child Charlotte, but she died in childbirth at the age of 21, leading to a mass outpouring of grief across the nation
ELIZABETH
The Queen is held in great respect by her family. Zara's great-grandmother the Queen Mother was also Elizabeth.
Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch who ruled from 1558 until 1603.
The Queen is held in great respect by her family. Zara's great-grandmother the Queen Mother was also Elizabeth.
Elizabeth I, the last Tudor monarch who ruled from 1558 until 1603.
VICTORIA
The longest reigning British monarch so far. Victoria ruled for more than 63 years, acceding to the throne in 1837. Britain had evolved into a constitutional monarchy. She became the figurehead of a vast empire and her reign spanned the rest of the century.
She married Prince Albert and had nine children, but mourned his early death for the rest of her life.
The longest reigning British monarch so far. Victoria ruled for more than 63 years, acceding to the throne in 1837. Britain had evolved into a constitutional monarchy. She became the figurehead of a vast empire and her reign spanned the rest of the century.
She married Prince Albert and had nine children, but mourned his early death for the rest of her life.
ANNE
Queen Anne was the last of the Stuart monarchs who became Queen aged 37 in 1702 and reigned until her death in 1714. Married to Prince George of Denmark she gave birth to more than a dozen children but none survived her.
Anne suffered from poor health and her weight ballooned towards the end of her life.
Queen Anne was the last of the Stuart monarchs who became Queen aged 37 in 1702 and reigned until her death in 1714. Married to Prince George of Denmark she gave birth to more than a dozen children but none survived her.
Anne suffered from poor health and her weight ballooned towards the end of her life.
However, don't place your bets on Polly or Linda, as their odds are 25/1 and 50/1 respectively.
Zara wants to get back on the horse: New mother is keen to return to competitive eventing and will take her young daughter on the circuit
New mother Zara Phillips plans to get back in the saddle and return to competitive eventing following the birth of her baby - just like her mother the Princess Royal did.
The Olympic silver medallist is hoping to enter the Badminton Horse Trials in May, followed by the World Equestrian Games in France in August.
She also has set her sights on the Rio Olympics in 2016, having declared previously: 'I would definitely love to go to another Olympics.'
A bid to secure a place in the GB squad will mean intensive training.
Zara initially insisted she would continue to compete well into her pregnancy, but seemingly had a change of heart soon after and took a break from competitive riding
She has already indicated she will take her baby with her on the eventing circuit; just as Anne did after Zara was born.
The week before it was announced she was expecting, she took a tumble while competing at the Barbury International Eventing and Show in Marlborough, Wiltshire, but was not hurt.
A few days later, three months pregnant Zara competed in a charity polo match. Her own mother, the Princess Royal, reportedly rode until just six weeks before giving birth.
The NHS recommends using caution while riding when pregnant because of the risk of injury from falls.
Zara initially insisted she would continue to compete well into her pregnancy, but seemingly had a change of heart soon after and took a break from competitive riding, with her horses having already qualified for the events she wanted to enter after the baby was born.
She continued to ride privately - although found it tricky in the later months.
Zara is set to return to competing and is hoping to take part in the World Eventing Championship in August
HOW THE NEW BABY HAS CHANGED THE SUCCESSION TO THE THRONE
ZARA'S JOURNEY TO MOTHERHOOD
2003 - Leading horse rider Zara Phillips and England and Gloucester rugby player Mike Tindall meet in a Sydney bar during the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia.
April 2009 - The pair buy a regency townhouse together in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire.
December 20, 2010 - Buckingham Palace announces Zara and Tindall's engagement.
July 30, 2011 - Zara and Tindall wed at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh joined by the Queen and the rest of the royal family.
September 2011 - Tindall's drunken antics during the World Cup in New Zealand hit the headlines. He is fined and booted out of the England rugby squad, but is later reinstated and has his fine reduced because he could not remember the drinking session and did not intentionally mislead the RFU team management.
July 31, 2012 - Zara becomes the first member of the royal family to win an Olympic medal after helping the GB eventing team secure a silver at London 2012.
January 2013 - Zara and Tindall move back to her mother's estate Gatcombe Park.
June 30, 2013 - Zara falls from her horse while competing at the Barbury International Eventing and Show in Marlborough, Wiltshire.
July 8, 2013 - Buckingham Palace announce the couple is expecting a baby in the New Year.
July 12, 2013 - Zara, who is three months pregnant, competes in an Army v Navy polo match in Tidworth, Wiltshire.
July 16, 2013 - Zara quits competitive riding, cancelling her trials until after the baby is born.
August 1, 2013 - Zara, hiding her bump under a loose yellow dress, attends the 2013 Glorious Goodwood Festival at Goodwood Racecourse as a guest
August 29, 2013 - She misses the European Championships in Sweden because of her decision to take a break from competitive riding until after the birth.
October 23, 2013 - Zara is chosen as godmother to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's baby son Prince George and attends his christening at the Chapel Royal with Tindall.
November 1, 2013 - Seven months pregnant Zara and Tindall reunite with the England Rugby World Cup winners at a gala dinner to mark 10 years since the win in Sydney - when the couple first met.
December 25, 2013 - Tindall and a heavily pregnant Zara join the royal family for Christmas at Sandringham in Norfolk, attending the traditional Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church.
January 12, 2014 - As her due date nears, Zara - who is also a horse trainer - watches three of her entrants run in the Heythrop Hunt Point-to-Point races in Aldsworth, Gloucestershire.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2541194/Zara-Phillips-given-birth-baby-girl.html#ixzz2qkBVMCjI
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