Mia Grace Tindall was born on 17 January 2014 at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital and is the daughter of Mike and Zara Tindall. Zara, being the daughter of Princess Anne, is currently 17th in line to the throne. She has accompanied the family to many events, especially when her mother has been competing, and at times shows her Dad’s guile at avoiding tackles when efforts are made to keep her under control.
Mia was christened at St Nicholas Church, Cherington in Gloucestershire in November 2014, unusually some eleven months after her birth rather than around four months for Prince George. The quiet church is some five minutes away from Gatcombe Park, home of Princess Anne. It is also the same church that Mia’s cousin, Isla Phillips, was christened in, in 2012. The christening party included Her Majesty The Queen, Duke of Edinburgh, Princess Royal and Prince William, together with Iain Balshaw, a close friend of Mike Tindall and another former England Rugby Union international. The christening was reported on by Royal Central.
Zara and Mike have always shared looking after Mia, with the occasional bit of help from both grandmother and great-grandmother. There was a rumour at one point that Zara’s friend was a nanny for Mia, but she was just helping to look after her at a couple of equestrian events. Mia enjoys playing with all the members of her extended family including Prince George and no doubt Princess Charlotte when they meet. However, I believe some of her favourite playmates are her cousins, Savannah and Isla Phillips. They are the daughters of her aunt and uncle Autumn and Peter Phillips – Peter being Zara’s elder brother.
Mia was one of the grandchildren and great-grandchildren pictured with The Queen last year for the picture marking The Queens ninetieth birthday. Mia is pictured, standing with her cherubic smile, holding The Queen’s handbag with a similarly coloured cardigan and socks possibly designed by her mother.
It will not be long before she is heading for school, and it will be interesting to see which sports she excels in. Mike Tindall, her father, is an ex-England international Rugby player, and of course, her mother Zara has represented Great Britain at show jumping and three-day-eventing. However, she also represented her school at hockey, gymnastics and athletics. With both her mother and grandmother winning BBC Sports Personality of the Year, it will be interesting to see if young Mia can make it three generations to win the trophy.
