No title? No problem at all for Zara Tindall. Queen Elizabeth's eldest granddaughter is not styled as Her Royal Highness, despite being the daughter of a Princess and in the line of succession to the British throne. The Princess Royal elected not to give her children, Zara and Peter Phillips, courtesy titles when they were born.
"I think it was probably easier for them, and I think most people would argue that there are downsides to having titles," Princess Anne told Vanity Fair in 2020. "So I think that was probably the right thing to do."
By opting against giving them titles, Princess Anne gave her son and daughter greater freedom. It's a decision HELLO!'s Royal Editor Emily Nash says was a "huge favour" to Zara and Peter. .
Freedom to pursue different opportunities
"While they have tasted life behind palace walls, they have also had the freedom to pursue their own interests and careers," Emily notes. "Zara receives no public funding but her sporting achievements have brought her recognition and brand sponsorship in her own right, along with her husband Mike, whose profile as a former England rugby captain has also attracted deals."
Over the years, Zara has landed multiple contracts, including with Land Rover, Samsung, Musto, Artemis, Rolex, along with Magic Millions and Calleja. In 2011, the equestrian was appointed Samsung's UK ambassador for the London 2012 Games, in which she competed and won a silver medal.
Years earlier, Zara became a Rolex Testimonee in 2006, and a brand ambassador for Musto in 2009. King Charles' niece has designed clothing for the latter, and in 2024, became the face of a collaboration between Musto and Fairfax & Favor. The following year, in 2025, Zara officially became an ambassador for Fairfax and Favor, an offer, she later told HELLO!, she was "delighted" to accept.
© Getty ImagesApart from her various deals, Zara took up the non-executive role of Cheltenham Racecourse director in 2020.
How Zara feels about not having a title
Zara herself has said she was "very lucky" to not receive a title. Speaking to The Times in 2015, she admitted: "I've been very lucky. My parents didn't give us titles, so we've been able to have a slightly more normal upbringing. As soon you've got a title, it's very difficult to shed it. People already have a perception of you before they've even met you. My brother and I have been very lucky like that, being able to find our own way in life really and just get on with it."
She reiterated that sentiment of feeling lucky during a 2023 appearance on the Seven: Rob Burrow podcast. Zara shared in the episode that she really commends her mom for not giving her and her brother a title. "We were very lucky that we got to do it our own way," Zara said.
© Chris Jackson/Getty ImagesZara married Mike Tindall, a former professional rugby union player, in 2011 at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh. The couple welcomed their first child, Mia Tindall, in 2014 and introduced her to the world in HELLO! magazine. "As a Friday's child, Mia's supposed to be loving and giving," Zara told us at the time. "She's pretty relaxed and happy so far. She's cool, but then perhaps all parents say that."
And when asked whether Mia would be following in her parents' sporty footsteps, Zara, who also shares daughter Lena Tindall and son Lucas Tindall with husband Mike, told HELLO!: "I want her to do whatever she wants. When you have a child all you hope for them is to be healthy and happy."
© Photo: HELLO!The sister William never had
Although the mom-of-three does not hold a title, Zara is close to her royal relatives and has appeared on the balcony of Buckingham Palace for Trooping the Colour, before her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth, limited the appearance to only working royals. Zara has additionally participated in the carriage procession at Royal Ascot and supported her cousin Prince William at Buckingham Palace garden parties, as well as the Princess of Wales at her annual Christmas carol service. Princess Anne's daughter is also a regular at Christmas at Sandringham.
© Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty ImagesA week before her 45th birthday, Zara joined William and Catherine at the second garden party of the season, hosted by the Prince and Princess of Wales at Buckingham Palace. Zara has been described to HELLO! as "the sister William never had." Royal author Ingrid Seward told HELLO! in 2024 that Zara and William, who were born 13 months apart, have "always had terrific fun together and they've always supported each other."
© Alamy Stock PhotoAs Emily points out, Zara, along with her brother Peter, "is uniquely placed to be able to support her cousin Prince William in future." She adds: "They both understand what it's like to be a member of the King's family, but don't have to shoulder the pressure and responsibility that comes with the role of a senior working royal."
Want even more exclusive royal content, unrivalled expert insight, instant digital access to HELLO!’s weekly issues and our full archive, as well as discounts to our in-house events? Sign up to HELLO! VIP for just £4.25 a month.
