Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall keeping baby’s gender a ‘surprise’

Zara Phillips and husband Mike Tindall have revealed they are keeping the sex of their baby a “surprise.”

The sportive pair, who married in 2011, told Australian magazine Women’s Weekly that they have chosen not to find out if their baby is a boy or a girl.

Zara and Mike will welcome their first child early next year.

“We want it to be a surprise,” rugby player Mike, 35, said. “I’m really looking forward to it, but I’m not sure how I’ve prepared.”

He revealed that the expectant parents still have many preparations to make before the baby, who will become sixteenth-in-line for the throne behind Zara, arrives in January 2014.

“We’ve been pretty relaxed. We’ve not sorted a nursery yet.”

Zara, who married Mike in July 2011 at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland, admitted their first child has come earlier than they initially planned.

“It probably happened quicker than we thought – bit of a shock, really.”

The daughter of Princess Anne also told the magazine she had found riding difficult since becoming pregnant.

“I have been riding, but it’s so uncomfortable,” the Olympic silver medal explained. “So yes, I’m baking. I love cooking and will definitely cook for the baby.”

Zara, who recently became a godmother to Prince George, added: “I hope we’re going to make good parents – that’s the plan.”

The couple joined The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge last week for Prince George’s christening at the Chapel Royal at St James’s Palace.

William and Zara have grown up together and remain close with the Prince and his wife watching Zara play in the 2012 London Olympics.

Zara’s wedding in July 2011 was one of the first functions William and Kate attended after returning from their honeymoon after their own nuptials in April 2011.

photo credit: jimbo0307 via photopin