Zara Tindall and Queen Elizabeth at Cheltenham Races National Hunt Festival in 2003.Photo:Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty

Tim Graham Photo Library via Getty
Zara Tindallis opening up about missing her grandmotherQueen Elizabeth.
In a new interview withThe Australian Women’s Weeklymagazine, the professional equestrian, 42, spoke about the special bond over horses that she shared with her late grandmother, who died in September 2022 at age 96.
Beyond her royal duties, Queen Elizabeth was a great horsewoman and passed down the passion to her only daughterPrincess Anneand later, her eldest granddaughter. Zara took her equestrian career professional in 2003 and toldThe Weeklythat the Queen was an encouraging force.
“She very much knew what was going on in my career as I was growing up,” Zara said. “You got to see her real passion and love for the horses and that side of her.”

Reflecting onlife without Queen Elizabeth, who reigned for a record 70 years, she added, “When you’ve got someone who’s a huge influence in your life, it leaves a hole.”
The late monarch currently hasthirteen great-grandchildren, including Zara’s three kids.Princess EugenieandJack Brooksbank’s sonErnestbecame the first great-grandchild born after the Queen’s death when he arrived in May.
Zara shares daughters Mia, 9, and Lena, 5, and son Lucas, 2, with husbandMike Tindall— and while their son met his great-grandmother, he was very young.
“Lucas doesn’t remember, but the girls do very much,” Zara said in the new interview.
Mike, who also took part in the interview, adds, “We’ve got the photo of Lucas with her, whereas the other two actually remember. She was a big part of our holidays and family time.”
All three Tindall kids were part of asweet family photowith Queen Elizabeth thatPrince WilliamandKate Middletonreleased in April for what would have been the Queen’s 97th birthday.

While exclusively speakingto PEOPLEin April beforeKing Charles’ coronation day, Zara touched on how Princess Anne’s equestrian role leading the procession after the crowning asGold-Stick-in-Waitingwas a thoughtful honor indicative of the tight bond she and her brother the King share.
“It’s a busy time for them all, and her and her brother are very close, so it’s a nice thing to do,” Zara told PEOPLE.
Before the Princess Royal (who also rode in the Olympics!) trotted into the spotlight in the coronation parade, Zara said her family would be thinking of their late matriarch on May 6.
“Obviously, we’re going to miss her very much,” she said of Queen Elizabeth.
Princess Anne leads the procession after the May 6 coronation of King Charles and Queen Camilla.Stuart C. Wilson/Getty Images

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Members of the royal family came together at Westminster Abbey for the historic crowning of King Charles andQueen Camillaon May 6, and continue to support one another at important events.
On Wednesday night, Zara attended the inaugural Winter Gala for Princess Eugenie’s charityThe Anti-Slavery Collective, and cousins posed for a picture together. Eugenie, 33, and her friend Julia de Boinville created the organization in 2017 to combat modern slavery and trafficking, and they raised over $1.2 million at the party in London.
Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie of York attend The Anti Slavery Collective’s inaugural Winter Gala on Nov. 29.Dave Benett/Getty

Dave Benett/Getty
source: people.com