Zara Tindall basks in sweet show of support from husband Mike Tindall and her father Captain Mark Phillips as she competes at day two of the Badminton Horse Trials

Zara Tindall was back in the saddle today as she took part in day two of the Badminton Horse Trials in Gloucestershire.

The King’s niece, 42, was supported at the event by her father, captain Mark Phillips, 75, and her husband, former England rugby star Mike Tindall, 45, with whom she has daughters Mia, ten, and Lena, five, and son shares. Lucas, three, with.

Dressed in her signature navy blue riding gear, Zara looked focused as she warmed up for the match at Badminton Estate, which started yesterday and runs until Sunday.

She was pictured sharing a hug with her husband Mike at the occasion after chatting with her father Mark, who divorced Princess Anne in 1992 after 19 years of marriage.

The royal wore white riding breeches covered by her long double-breasted coat and completed her look with a matching navy and white hat as she put her beloved gelding Class Affair to the test at the event.

Zara looked elegant in her navy blue attire and a pair of knee-high black riding boots as she attended the event.

Her illustrious career as an equestrian includes gold at the 2005 European Eventing Championships and silver at the 2006 World Equestrian Games.

Zara’s outing comes after her cousin Prince Harry, 39, attended a service at St Paul’s Cathedral in London yesterday to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games.

No members of the royal family attended the Duke of Sussex’s event, which featured Zara on the first day of the Badminton Trials. The king, meanwhile, was joined by several senior royals for a garden party at Buckingham Palace.

It comes after the monarch told his youngest son he was too busy to see him during his fleeting visit to Britain before Harry heads to Nigeria, where he will be reunited with his wife, Meghan Markle.

Queen Camilla, the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, the Princess Royal and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester all supported the King at the garden party.

The only working royals missing from the Buckingham Palace event were the Prince and Princess of Wales – William had held an investiture in Windsor earlier in the day, while Kate is away from public duties due to her health – along with the Duke of Kent and Princess Alexandra, both of whom carry out fewer assignments due to their increasing vulnerability.

The King’s niece, 42, was supported at the event by her father, captain Mark Phillips (pictured right), and her husband, former England rugby star Mike Tindall, 45, with whom she has daughters Mia, ten, and Lena, five , shares. son, Lucas, three, with

She was pictured at the occasion sharing a hug with her husband Mike (pictured right) after a chat with her father Mark, who divorced Princess Anne in 1992 after 19 years of marriage.

Dressed in her signature navy blue riding gear, Zara looked focused as she warmed up for the match at Badminton Estate, which started yesterday and runs until Sunday.

Zara may have seemed to have something in her eyes as she attended the event today

Mike and Zara shared a loving hug when they spotted each other during the outing

While members of the royal family were noticeably absent from the Invictus Games Service, Harry’s uncle Earl Spencer and Lady Jane Fellowes – Princess Diana’s younger brother and older sister – were in attendance.

Other notable guests included his cousin Louis Spencer, Prime Minister’s wife Akshata Murty and his lawyer David Sherbourne. Former army officer Mark Dyer, who helped mentor Harry, was also there.

Zara’s performance at the Badminton Horse Trials follows her participation at the Windsor Royal Horse Show, where she was caught hugging her uncle King Charles.

His Majesty, 75, who is currently undergoing treatment for cancer, made a surprise appearance at the event.

The monarch’s appearance marked his third public appearance in four days as he returns to public duties amid his illness.

Zara beamed as she greeted her uncle at the event in Berkshire and seemed delighted to see him.

Meanwhile, Charles himself seemed happy to see Zara, the daughter of his sister Princess Anne, as the two embraced in a big, friendly hug.

Their affection is a sign of their close bond – and Zara is known for breaking royal tradition with her tactile displays, as seen with her rugby star husband Mike.

Prince Harry put on a brave face yesterday as he left St Paul’s Cathedral alone after a service celebrating the 10th anniversary of the Invictus Games

King Charles III and Queen Camilla stand with the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh (right) and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester (left) for the Buckingham Palace garden party yesterday

Body language expert Judi James previously described the bond between the uncle and niece as one of the “sweetest and most uncomplicated” bonds within the company, the newspaper said. Daily Express.

She said: ‘Unlike many people in the King’s life, Zara seems to treat her uncle with unfiltered affection and he seems to respond in kind.

‘Their public displays of affection (PDAs) are legendary and the body language cues suggest they are always led by Zara, who seems untroubled by protocol, status or even Charles’ usual avoidance of public touching rituals that go beyond a handshake .

“She seems purely intent on showing everyone how determined she is to give this sometimes lonely and thoughtful man a hug.”

The two clearly get on well and share a well-known passion for horses and equestrian sports, as Zara even won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, and competed in events such as this week’s Badminton’s Horse Trials.