Queen Elizabeth’s Favorite Grandchild: The Untold Story of Princess Zara
👑 Queen Elizabeth’s Favorite Grandchild: The Untold Story of Princess Zara
A Quiet Affection in a Family of Protocols
Every monarch has their secrets, their preferences, and their quiet affections. For
Yet within royal walls, whispers circulated for years: of all her grandchildren, it was Zara Phillips, Princess Anne’s daughter, who may have held the softest corner of the late Queen’s heart.
The Princess Who Was Never a Princess
What makes this story remarkable is that Zara was never meant to be a princess at all.
In fact, the title was denied to her from birth. And yet, in that very denial, she gained something infinitely more valuable:
Stripped of a Title, Gifted With Liberty
When Princess Anne gave birth to her first child in 1981, the world expected pomp and tradition. But Anne, fiercely independent and pragmatic, made a decision that shocked many:
Thus, Zara was born not as “Her Royal Highness,” but simply Zara Phillips. From the beginning, she was set apart from her cousins.
Some might have seen this as a loss—a stripping away of privilege. Yet for Zara, it was a blessing. Without a title, she could live, love, and choose her path
It was precisely this freedom, many believe, that allowed her to grow into the most grounded—and perhaps happiest—member of the royal clan.
A Name Chosen With Affection
While most royal children’s names are carefully selected from an approved list, Zara’s was different. It was Prince Charles—her uncle, and heir to the throne—who personally chose her name.
The gesture spoke volumes. It wasn’t duty or protocol; it was affection.
And in later years, that affection remained visible. Zara became one of the few in the royal family bold enough to
It was as though her lack of a title gave her permission to act like what she truly was:
The Equestrian Princess
Zara inherited more than independence from her mother, Princess Anne. She also inherited Anne’s grit, her fiery spirit, and her extraordinary equestrian skill.
While many royals flirt with hobbies, Zara pursued hers to the highest level. Horses became her passion and her profession, and her determination carried her all the way to the
There, competing in team eventing, she made history by winning a silver medal—becoming the first royal ever to claim an Olympic honor.
The most touching moment of all came when her mother, Princess Anne, herself an accomplished equestrian,
Cameras captured Anne’s pride, her face breaking into an uncharacteristically wide smile. For a woman known for her stoicism, it was a rare display of raw maternal joy.
The Queen’s Darling
For Queen Elizabeth, who valued dedication and service above all else, Zara embodied the Windsor ideal—but with a modern twist. She was hardworking, loyal, and quietly rebellious.
Unlike some royals who stumbled under the pressure of scrutiny, Zara thrived outside it.
Family insiders often noted the warmth between grandmother and granddaughter. Zara’s energy, humor, and independence delighted the Queen.
seemed to embody the life many royals longed for but could never have.
At Balmoral and Sandringham, Zara was said to be a constant source of laughter for the Queen. There was a natural ease in their relationship, unclouded by expectation.
A Fiery Yet Grounded Spirit
Zara has never been the polished princess. She has a fiery streak, a reputation for speaking her mind, and a confidence that sets her apart.
Yet beneath it all lies a warmth and loyalty that have kept her deeply connected to her family.
She is a devoted wife to rugby star Mike Tindall, a loving mother of three, and someone who, despite her independence, has never strayed too far from the royal fold.
Perhaps that balance—rebellion tempered with duty, freedom blended with loyalty—is why Queen Elizabeth adored her so much.
Zara was proof that one could live outside the system and still embody its values.
The Happiest Royal
In a family marked by scandals, divorces, and public struggles, Zara’s life stands out as remarkably stable.
She has her sport, her family, and her freedom. She walks into the royal palaces when she chooses—but walks out just as easily.
Maybe that is why so many call her “the happiest woman in the British royal family.”
Because happiness, after all, is not found in crowns or titles—it is found in the freedom to live life on one’s own terms.
For Queen Elizabeth, who gave her country seven decades of duty, Zara’s joy must have been a quiet reassurance.
That in at least one grandchild, she could see the possibility of a royal life lived not by rules—but by choice.
