A spokesperson for Zara Phillips has confirmed that the pregnant royal will continue to compete in horse-riding events. On Monday, Buckingham Palace announced the happy news that Zara and her husband Mike Tindall were expecting their first baby together. It is thought that she is around three months pregnant.While the NHS advises women not to take part in 'inherently risky' sports while expecting, Zara, 32, competed at the Barbury International Horse Trials at the weekend. And her representative said she would take part in events for several weeks at least.
"She will definitely be back in the saddle soon," the spokesperson said. "It's business as usual at the moment. "But she went on to stress that Zara is "following all medical advice from her doctors. She is being sensible about this and listening to what the doctors are telling her. "She couldn't be happier about this baby and would never put her pregnancy in jeopardy."
The Queen is said to be "delighted" about the new addition to the family, and David Cameron's official spokesman described the announcement as "quite terrific news".Father-to-be Mike, 34, has since taken to Twitter to express his gratitude to well-wishers. "Thanks for all the kind messages, we are very excited," he wrote. The former England rugby captain, who has broken his nose eight times, also joked, "I agree with you all that hopefully he/she won't have my nose."
The new arrival, due in the New Year, will be 16th in line to the throne, and a fourth great grandchild for the Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh — the others are Savannah and Isla Phillips, daughters of Zara's older brother Peter, and Kate Middleton's expected baby. Zara does not hold a royal title and is not an HRH. After her marriage to Mike in July 2011, she decided to keep her maiden name, and her children will be titled Miss or Master Tindall.