Zara Tindall’s new royal role thanks to Prince William without ditching ‘civilian’ life

Despite being the daughter of the hardest-working royal Princess Anne and a niece to the King - Zara Tindall famously doesn’t have any royal title. When she was born on this day in 1981, her mother, the Princess Royal decided against titles being given to her daughter - allowing her to carve out a successful equestrian career outside of the Firm. But her close bond to her Uncle Charles and cousin Prince William means she and her family are regulars ar family gatherings, joining them for Christmas at Sandringham and other big events. However, in recent years, there has been one role that Zara, who turns 45 today, has been given by William - for three years running, she has helped him in hosting a garden party at Buckingham Palace . Just last week, dressed top to toe in blue, the mum-of-three stood just behind her cousin as the national anthem played and then helped him to greet the huge crowds at the event. And according to royal expert Jennie Bond, there is one clear reason why Zara has been invited back to help year after year. The former BBC royal correspondent told the Mirror : “Let’s face it: Zara has nailed it. She seems to have a wonderful life with a husband she adores, three gorgeous children, freedom to earn a very good living - and a wonderfully warm relationship with her royal relatives. “She is great fun, hugely popular - and scrubs up impressively well when she’s not in her jodhpurs and boots (and she looks pretty good in those too!). Zara is a natural beauty and everyone who meets her says she’s incredibly down to earth. “She’s a star at royal garden parties - which is why she keeps getting asked back - and brings a relaxed sense of fun to every conversation. “She and her husband, Mike, remain very close to William and Catherine and I’m sure they will both be called on to help out at events like garden parties for many years to come. In many ways, Mike is like the brother William has lost in Harry.” It means that Zara has managed, alongside husband Mike, to carve out a unique role by attending many high-profile Royal Family events while continuing with her illustrious equestrian career and earning sponsorship deals with brands such as Rolex. It comes as there appears to be an ever smaller pool of royals carrying out royal duties, with many of them over of the age of 70. But despite her star turn at garden parties and her popularity with the family, Jennie doesn’t believe there will be any major change to Zara’s current life. She explained: “I don’t think there’s any question of Zara becoming - or wanting to become - a full-time working royal. Why would she want the restrictions that would be imposed when she has such a great balance between lucrative work opportunities and the glamour of being part of one of the most famous families in the world ? “I’m sure she would be brilliant at being a working royal, but she is forever grateful to her mother for refusing a title for her and paving the way for the freedom she now has. “So I think we can expect to see Zara popping up every year at events like garden parties, throwing her arms around her uncle, the King, at occasions like Royal Ascot , and being part of the family celebrations at Christmas. But I don’t think there’s any prospect of her swapping her “civilian“ life for one bound by royal duties.”