Growing Up Without A Royal Title: Zara Tindall’s Story

Zara Tindall, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, is grateful for growing up without a royal title.

Unlike many little girls who dream of being a princess, Zara and her brother, Peter, were not entitled to royal status by birth since titles can only be given to a monarch's grandchildren through sons, not daughters.

Although the queen extended a courtesy title to Anne's children, which she declined.

Zara's mother, Princess Anne, famously turned down Queen Elizabeth's offer to make her daughter a princess when she was born.

Their father, Captain Mark Phillips, was a commoner and also turned down a title that would have been given to him as a wedding gift from the queen when he wed Princess Anne.

This decision allowed Zara and her brother to pursue other career opportunities and live a relatively normal life.

In a recent interview with The Times, Zara expressed gratitude for not having a royal title, saying, “I'm very lucky that both my parents decided not to use the title and we grew up and did all the things that gave us the opportunity to do.”

As children, Zara and her brother attended Trooping the Colour and other royal events along with their cousins Prince William and Prince Harry.

However, their non-royal status allowed them to pursue other interests and careers.

Zara is an accomplished equestrian and even won a silver medal at the London 2012 Olympics as a member of the Great Britain eventing team.

Motherhood has also kept her busy.

She wed former rugby star Mike Tindall in July 2011, and the couple welcomed daughter Mia in January 2014.

Zara credits her parents, who divorced in 1992, for her work ethic, saying, “Papa said to me, if you want to get to the top, you've got to do it properly, and if you want to stay at the top, it's even harder.”

Despite her non-royal status, Zara remains close to her royal cousins.

She was even chosen as one of Prince George's godparents by Will and Kate.

She joined them at a polo game in June 2015, where live wire Prince George frolicked with Zara's adorable one-year-old daughter Mia.

As soon as Zara introduced Mia to Kate, she put George down next to Mia, and they all sat down by the tent, says veteran royals photographer Mark Stewart.

Zara's former wild child status made headlines in 1998 when she got her tongue pierced.