It’s no secret that the King has a close bond with his daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales.
But Charles shares an equally deep connection with his niece, Zara Tindall.
The duo have frequently been spotted showing affection over the years, most recently at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Zara was seen warmly hugging her uncle and within moments, they were laughing out loud.
“Her face over his shoulder is wrapped in smiles and, for a moment, her body language looks a lot like that of a little girl who wants to hold on to the uncle she clearly loves forever,” body language expert Judi James told MailOnline.
However, Zara’s tender behavior also suggests concern for her uncle’s health, as Judi noted:
‘Zara’s latest PDA shows a level of affection tinged with concern and relief. She hugs Charles tightly with both arms around his body and with their torsos pressed together to show his joy at seeing her again.
Given Charles’ unbreakable relationship with his sister, Princess Anne, it is perhaps unsurprising that he also has a strong bond with his daughter.
In fact, Charles even played a role in naming his niece by suggesting a Greek name with the meaning of “radiance.”
Anne once admitted: “The baby arrived quite suddenly and positively, and my brother thought Zara was an appropriate name.”
Zara was seen warmly hugging her uncle, King Charles, at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Within moments, they were laughing heartily together.
Their happiness was contagious as everyone around them smiled and laughed too.
Unlike their cousins, Zara and her brother, Peter, were not given royal titles and this could explain Zara’s comfort in breaking royal protocol through her tactile behavior towards her uncle.
Unlike their cousins, Zara and her brother, Peter, were not given royal titles and experienced a comparatively normal upbringing.
This could explain Zara’s comfort in breaking royal protocol through her tactile behavior towards her uncle.
And it seems that Charles, who considers himself more reserved, has no objection.
“Watching Zara break away from Charles’ rather awkward approach to any PDA and throw loving hugs and playful kisses on the cheeks has always been a delight, especially seeing how happy being on the receiving end has made Charles,” Judi said.
While the couple have always shared a strong connection, the King’s recent decline in health has undoubtedly deepened their bond.
Judi explained: “It would have been impossible to imagine that Zara’s wonderful, spontaneous and complete tactile greeting rituals to her uncle King Charles had any further stages in terms of emotional improvement, but since her current ill health that is exactly what has happened. ‘
Zara and Charles share a love of horses and an enthusiasm for equestrian sports, which often leads them to bond at Royal Ascot.
On such occasions, Zara greets her uncle by hugging him and kissing his cheek.
“Etiquette doesn’t worry Zara when it comes to treating Charles like any other guy she likes and we can see her firm hand on Charles’s back or her trusting arm as she kisses him on the cheek,” Judi said.
“She also receives reciprocal signals of affection, as evidenced by the pose with her arms around her back while they talk.”
The couple share a love of horses and an enthusiasm for equestrian sports, which often leads them to bond at Royal Ascot.
Zara often breaks royal protocol with her tactile behavior towards King Charles.
Zara is known to greet her uncle by hugging him and kissing his cheek.
Princess Anne leaving the Lindo Wing of St Mary’s Hospital with baby Zara in her arms, 19 May 1981
Both Charles and Zara learned to ride as children, and the king was taught by his mother, Queen Elizabeth, at the age of four.
However, Charles’s love of racing is less pronounced.
While Zara, like Anne, showed bravery in jumping, Charles preferred to remain firm on the ground, which led to his passion for polo.
Zara followed in her mother’s footsteps and participated in the 2012 Summer Olympics as a member of the Great Britain eventing team.
He won a silver medal, which was rightly presented to him by Princess Anne.
Charles, on the other hand, began playing polo in 1961, at the age of 13, while attending Gordonstoun in Scotland.
Sports offered Charles an escape from the bullying he suffered at boarding school. “I was all for it,” he said. “At least you stay on the ground.”
Three years later, he was playing with his father, Prince Philip, at the Household Brigade Polo Club.
It was day 1 of Ascot when Zara was seen hugging her uncle Charles in the royal box in 2008.
Zara’s close bond with her uncle Charles has continued to strengthen over the years.
Charles was admiring his niece’s hat while they attended the Christmas Day service at Sandringham Estate in 2009.
Zara spent a lot of time with her cousins, Prince William and Prince Harry, during her childhood (pictured with William in 1988).
Zara spent a lot of time with her cousins, Prince William and Prince Harry, during her childhood.
This gave him the opportunity to form a close bond with his Uncle Charles, a connection that has continued to strengthen over the years.
Although Zara and her rugby star husband Mike are not royals, they are still an important part of the King’s inner circle.
They have been photographed with older family members at recent landmark events, such as Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral in 2022 and Charles’ coronation celebrations last year.
The Tindalls also joined the family for the Christmas Day church service at Sandringham last December, followed by a festive lunch.
Speaking of food, Charles’s eating habits aren’t much different from his niece’s.
After her pregnancies, Zara eliminated red meat from her diet, prompting her husband to prepare his own meals.
Also avoid eating carbohydrates and sugary foods.
Meanwhile, Charles has recently reduced his meat consumption and follows a predominantly plant-based diet.
He abstains from eating meat or fish two days a week and adopts a completely vegan diet one day a week.
Perhaps Zara served as the inspiration behind the King’s new commitment to health.