It’s no secret that the King has a close bond with his daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales.
But Charles has an equally deep bond with his niece, Zara Tindall.
The duo have been seen sharing affection many times over the years, most recently at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Zara was seen hugging her uncle warmly and within moments they were laughing heartily together.
“Her face over his shoulder is wreathed in smiles and her body language looks for a moment like that of a little girl who wants to hold on to the uncle she clearly loves forever,” body language expert Judi James told MailOnline.
However, Zara’s tender attitude also indicates concern for her uncle’s health, as Judi noted:
‘Zara’s latest PDAs reveal a sense of affection mixed with concern and relief. She hugs Charles tightly with both arms around his body and their torsos close together, showing her joy at seeing him outside again.”
Given Charles’ unwavering relationship with his sister, Princess Anne, it’s perhaps not surprising that he also has a strong bond with her daughter.
Charles even played a role in the naming of his niece by suggesting a Greek name meaning ‘radiance’.
Anne once admitted: ‘The baby arrived quite suddenly and positively, and my brother thought Zara was an appropriate name.’
Zara was seen warmly hugging her uncle King Charles at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Within moments they were laughing heartily together
Their happiness was contagious as everyone else around them was smiling and laughing too
Unlike her cousins, Zara and her brother, Peter, were not given royal titles and this may explain Zara’s comfort in breaking royal protocol through her tactile behavior towards her uncle.
Unlike her cousins, Zara and her brother Peter were not given royal titles and had a relatively ordinary upbringing.
This could explain Zara’s comfort at breaking royal protocol through her tactile behavior towards her uncle.
And it seems that Charles, who is considered more reserved, has no objections.
“It’s always been a joy to see Zara break through Charles’ rather awkward approach to PDA and give loving hugs and playful cheek kisses, especially to see how happy it has made Charles to be on the receiving end,” said Judi .
Although the pair have always had a strong bond, the recent decline in the king’s health has undoubtedly deepened their bond.
Judi explained: ‘It may have been impossible to imagine that Zara’s beautiful, spontaneous and complete tactile rituals of greeting her uncle, King Charles, would have any further phases in terms of an emotional upgrade, but since his current ill health exactly what he does. what happened.’
Zara and Charles share a love of horses and an enthusiasm for equestrian sports, which means they often get together at Royal Ascot.
On such occasions, Zara greets her uncle by throwing her arms around him and kissing his cheek.
“Protocol doesn’t bother Zara when it comes to treating Charles like any other uncle she adores and we can see her firm hand on Charles’ back or her confident arm lock as she kisses her cheeks,” Judi said.
“She also receives mutual signals of affection, as evidenced by the pose with their arms around each other’s backs as they talk.”
The pair share a love of horses and an enthusiasm for equestrian sports, which often sees them unite at Royal Ascot
Zara often breaks royal protocol with her tactile attitude towards King Charles
Zara is known to greet her uncle by throwing her arms around him and kissing his cheek
Princess Anne leaves the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital with baby Zara in her arms, May 19, 1981
Both Charles and Zara learned to ride as children, with the king being taught by his mother, Queen Elizabeth, at the age of four.
Charles’ love for racing, however, is less pronounced.
While Zara, like Anne, showed fearlessness during the jumps, Charles preferred to remain firmly on the ground, which led to his passion for polo.
Zara followed in her mother’s footsteps and competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics as a member of the Great Britain Eventing Team.
She won a silver medal, which was aptly presented to her by Princess Anne.
Charles, on the other hand, took up polo in 1961 at the age of 13, while visiting Gordonstoun in Scotland.
The sport provided Charles with an escape from the bullying he experienced at boarding school. “I was all for it,” he said. “At least you stay on the ground.”
Three years later he played with his father, Prince Phillip, at the Household Brigade Polo Club.
It was day 1 of Ascot when Zara hugged her uncle Charles in the royal box in 2008
Zara’s close bond with her uncle Charles has grown stronger over the years
Charles admired his niece’s hat as they attended the Christmas Day service at the Sandringham estate in 2009
Zara spent a lot of time with her cousins, Prince William and Prince Harry, during her childhood (pictured with William in 1988)
Zara spent a lot of time with her cousins, Prince William and Prince Harry, during her childhood.
This created an opportunity for her to build a close bond with her uncle Charles, a bond that has grown stronger over the years.
Although Zara and her rugby star husband Mike are not working royals, they still form a significant part of the king’s inner circle.
They have been pictured alongside senior members of the family at recent historic events such as Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022 and Charles’ coronation celebrations last year.
The Tindalls also attended the Christmas Day family service at Sandringham last December, followed by a festive lunch.
Speaking of food, Charles’s dietary habits are not much different from those of his niece.
After her pregnancy, Zara cut red meat from her diet, prompting her husband to prepare his own meals.
She also avoids eating carbohydrates and sugary foods.
Meanwhile, Charles has recently reduced his meat consumption and is sticking to a mainly plant-based diet.
He abstains from eating meat or fish two days a week and follows a completely vegan diet one day a week.
Perhaps Zara served as the inspiration behind the king’s new commitment to health.