Zara Phillips receives MBE from Queen
Zara Phillips, looking absolutely stunning (and it’s not often I say that), collected her well-deserved MBE (Member of the British Empire) from the Queen today.
Zara Phillips admiring her MBE
Zara is only the third rider in equestrian history to hold both World and European titles for three-day eventing at the same time.
The occasion was not recorded for public consumption, but we can tell you that Zara executed a deep curtsey as she approached her grandmother, the Queen.
In the front row were her mother, Princess Anne, her rugger man boyfriend, Mike Tindall, her brother, Peter Phillips, and his fiancee, Autumn Kelly.
Another recipient of the award, Dorothy Petticrew, said : “She was showing us how to curtsey and making us all feel relaxed. As we were waiting to go up, she said ‘Oh, why does my mother have to be sitting there?’. Princess Anne kept looking for her coming and peering to see her. It was lovely seeing the mother’s pride. Zara was totally relaxed. She said ‘I’m coming in military style today and it’s very comfortable’.”
Zara and Mike Tindall at Buckingham Palace today
Miss Petticrew added : “She said she would have been happy to receive her award privately but her family wanted her to do it publicly and said ‘Let’s do this right’.”
Zara’s stepfather, Tim Laurence, a Vice Admiral in the Royal Navy, was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (Military Division) at the same ceremony.
A good day for the Royal Family, with talented members getting their just rewards.
John, why was her father Capt Mark Phillips npt there-would it have been embarassing. Congratulations Zara. one of the PLUS members of the RF.
By Royalist on November 28th, 2007 at 7:25 pm
I don’t know, Royalist. He does train the American team, so maybe he was in the States.
By John on November 28th, 2007 at 7:40 pm
Geeze, Mike Tindall looks like a Guy Richie character. A very well dressed Guy Richie character, but still…
Zara does indeed look stunning. It’s enough to make me hope Alan Moore’s prediction comes true and she ends up Queen.
By ClassyCanuck on November 28th, 2007 at 7:48 pm
Classy, Zara, like her mother, tends to go for rugged sportsmen. Mike is a great England rugby player and, yes, he’s as knocked-about as they come. He probably has a heart of gold, but I wouldn’t like to meet him in a ruck.
Zara would though.
By John on November 28th, 2007 at 8:03 pm
I agree. Zara looks very pretty. I also thought she looked pretty in the pictures I saw of her that were taken at the Anniversary Service. I was a little amused at how her outfit caused a stir (or so it was said in one article I read). I didn’t find her skirt to be too short, considering that she was wearing black tights, and it was refreshing to see a young woman without a lot of cleavage spilling out (a la Sarah Ferguson’s progeny). Sorry if it was a bit impertinent to mention that but I’m old-fashioned when it comes to such things.
Yes, Mike Tindall does resemble Guy Ritchie a bit. He (Mike) looks more the rugged sportsman than David Beckham, but I digress…
By Melissa on November 28th, 2007 at 8:13 pm
Was Vice Admiral Timothy Laurence awarded the Companion of the Order of the Bath for hazardous duty – being married to Princess Anne?
By Arthur on November 28th, 2007 at 8:58 pm
LOL Arthur! I thought the exact same thing! I also think Zara’s father should have been there at the MBE ceremony. He had a lot to do with her equestrian achievements. Does anyone know what specific achievements Timothy Laurence has that garnered him the honor he received? I was just wondering.
By Gigi on November 28th, 2007 at 10:50 pm
Congrats to Zara, she truly deserved it and she looked great. I wish I could see her getting the award from The Queen. Another person looked great at a party was kate. I guess the Monarchy will alawys be blessed with great looking women in the family.
By Claudius on November 28th, 2007 at 11:24 pm
You can see the pictures at Wireimage.com or Getty Images.
By Claudius on November 28th, 2007 at 11:28 pm
Claudius, I believe the decision to stop marrying their cousins has improved the Royal gene pool immeasurably. Commoners, such as Diana Spencer, Mark Phillips, Sarah Ferguson, and Sophie Rys-Jones, definitely contributed to the attractive, good looks of the present generation of young Royals.
By Arthur on November 28th, 2007 at 11:50 pm
LOL, that’s funny. I also guess that is true.
By Claudius on November 29th, 2007 at 12:02 am
I agree with you, Arthur. Prince Philip contributed to the good looks in this generation of Royals, also. In his youth, Prince Philip actually resembled a Greek god, and his genes certainly contributed to the great good looks of Prince Andrew, Duke of York. Zara and Peter Philips can thank their Father for their good looks, and Prince William and Prince Harry can thank their Mother, Princess Diana, for their handsome faces and well-set physiques.
Thanks, Claudius, for the information about the photos of Kate!
By Gigi on November 29th, 2007 at 4:41 am
I agree with you about the cleavages, Melissa, although Zara did flash a lot at a Wild West party last week.
By John on November 29th, 2007 at 10:14 am
John, I’m glad I missed that! I realize that society’s standards have changed a lot but I still manage to be surprised at times by what young women (and some not-so-young women) wear just walking around everyday. It’s becoming the norm, even amongst the young Royals. To each his own, or her own, as the case may be. I think I’m too young to be an old fuddy duddy but on this topic I guess I must be! LOL
But again, I digress…I think it’s great that Zara was honored. She should be proud of her accomplishments.
By Melissa on November 29th, 2007 at 10:48 am
Melissa, I have to agree, I thought Zara’s outfit was lovely and not at all too short, as for cleavages I think sometimes they can make young girls look matronly in the wrong dress and the York Princesses constantly look like lamb dressed as mutton!
The gene pool is certainly improving but I don’t think any of the Queen’s children got their father’s good looks. He was gorgeous and while I know Prince Andrew was supposed to be the stud of the family I never saw it.
Anne was pretty when she was young though I think that Zara is prettier and will hold her looks.
By Eliza on November 29th, 2007 at 10:56 am
I thought Zara also looked beautiful. Her choice of dress was chic and not over done. I also see a lot of her mother in her looks at certain angles and Anne was pretty in sporty way. I was also pleased to see Tim get an award and be apprieciated for his contribution to the military.
By Trudie on November 29th, 2007 at 12:48 pm
Gigi, Timothy Laurence has been an Equerry to the Queen, as well as rising to Vice-Admiral in the Navy. It’s normal for people of those ranks to be decorated.
By John on November 29th, 2007 at 3:03 pm
Thank you for the information, John. Knowing as I do how difficult it is to rise to that high rank in the military, I am sure he is most deserving of the honor bestowed upon him by the Queen.
By Gigi on November 30th, 2007 at 8:56 pm