Mike and Zara’s baby joy Healing after heartbreak
Family comes first as she follows doctor’ s orders
With the Duchess of Cambridge showing off her burgeoning baby bump in an array of expensive designer maternity outfits in recent
weeks, you could be forgiven for forgetting that Kate’s not the only member of the royal family who’s pregnant – and that’s exactly what Zara Tindall would prefer!
Following a devastating miscarriage in late 2016, Princess Anne’s daughter, 36, is expecting once more, with her second child thought to be due in July. Now, after a family holiday in New Zealand and Australia, she has stepped out of the spotlight to nest and rest at her Gloucestershire home with her husband, former England rugby captain Mike, 39, and four-year-old daughter Mia.
“Zara’s still on cloud nine after falling pregnant, but she’s been extremely on edge given the heartbreak of her miscarriage,” reveals a source close to the devoted mum, speaking exclusively to
“She’s taking things extra-carefully this time around and taking far more precautions than she did during her pregnancy with Mia.
“Mike’s been an incredible support – doting on her, waiting on her hand and foot, and doing everything in his power to ensure she’s supported both physically and psychologically. He knows how hard the past year has been for her.”
A family insider adds, “As you can imagine, the temptation is to keep Zara wrapped in cotton wool, in her bed at Gatcombe Park, but that would only make them fret more, so she’s taking her doctor’s advice to stay active, eat well, get plenty of sleep and not take part in vigorous activity. She won’t be going for any gallops on her horses, that’s for sure!”
Whoathere!
Champion equestrienne Zara – who won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games in London – continued to ride while pregnant with Mia but drew criticism for performing in a dressage event while displaying a baby bump. This time, however, she’s resisting the temptation to get back in the saddle, especially after a nasty fall that gave her a real fright last September.
Our source reveals, “Zara knows that tumble could have been a lot worse and one of her close friends was also recently badly injured while falling from a horse, so it’s put everything in perspective. She’s putting her family life first and might scale back on riding even after the birth.”
In January, Yorkshire-born Mike publicly declared he’s ready to be a stay-at-home dad so Zara can train for the 2020 Games in Tokyo, saying, “The wife will want to get back to riding as soon as possible. She’s still motivated for the Olympics, so I’ve got to help her achieve that.”
However, our source insists, “While it’s something she’s been dreaming of for a long time, she’s debating over the painstaking decision of whether to drop out for the sake of her children.”
In the meantime, Zara and Mike have reportedly enrolled Mia in “sibling training” with
a child psychologist. Our source explains, “Zara is very conscious of the possibility of jealousy and abandonment setting in when the newborn arrives, given Mia is so used to having her parents’ full attention, so she enrolled her in these workshops that she’s raving have helped Mia come to grips with everything.
“Originally, she was showing no interest in Zara’s baby bump and getting upset whenever there was work going on in the nursery. Now she’s showing real excitement, painting pictures for her sibling, and talking and singing to the baby.”
Meanwhile, already tight friends Zara and her cousin-inlaw Kate, 36, have been brought closer by their pregnancies, sharing eating plans and maternity workouts via Skype.
“They speak almost daily, and constantly text back and forth with their various whims and complaints,” reports our source. “Kate often jokes that they should leave the boys at home for the births and be each other’s pregnancy partners.”
Mike has confirmed he and Zara will attend Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding, as well as Princess Eugenie’s marriage to James Brooksbank, saying, “We’re looking forward to them, but the big thing this year will be the new one on the way. That will be the most important thing.”
Our source adds, “With so much coming up in the next few months, Zara knows it’s going to be a whirlwind of emotions, but she can’t wait to meet her new bundle and watch her family grow.”
While she and Mike will celebrate their seventh wedding anniversary in July, there’s no sign of the dreaded seven-year itch. In fact, those close to the couple say this pregnancy has strengthened their bond.
“Before, there were reports of trouble, with Mike spotted flirting on boys’ nights out, but they’re in a good place right now. Of course, they’re both a little on edge after the miscarriage, but they’re really excited about the baby and if all goes well, they’d like another one.”