Princess Anne’s next bridesmaid has been deeply connected to the Royal Family for years, most notably as a close friend (and bridesmaid) of Zara Tindall.
A trusted confidant described by friends as “fiercely loyal and discreet”, who is the NHS midwife who has become indispensable to the Royal Family?
Dolly Maude, 51, helped deliver Zara’s third child, Lucas, on a bathroom floor when her birth plan went awry in 2021, and has been close friends with the King’s niece for more than two decades.
With a shared love of horses, Dolly and Zara quickly became close and lived together briefly in 2003 after the royal’s relationship with her fiancé Richard Johnson ended.
Zara and the jockey had dated since 1998 and lived together in the Cotswolds, leaving the Princess Royal’s daughter in desperate need of a place to call home.
Princess Anne’s next bridesmaid has been deeply connected to the Royal Family for years, most notably as a close friend (and bridesmaid) of Zara Tindall.
Dolly Maude, 51, helped deliver Zara’s third child, Lucas, on the bathroom floor when her birth plan went awry in 2021.
Fortunately, her friend Dolly was there to offer her a place to stay and a shoulder to cry on until she recovered from her heartbreak.
The couple remained close when Zara’s friendship with former rugby player Mike Tindall turned into a romance a few months later in 2004.
Dolly was a bridesmaid at Zara and Mike’s wedding in 2011 and was present at the birth of their three children: Mia, 9, Lena, 5, and Lucas, two.
The former England rugby player has even described Dolly as “more important than me”, given her role in helping Zara when she went into labor at her Gatcombe Park home with her son, Lucas.
The now two-year-old boy had arrived so quickly that Zara and Mike couldn’t make it to the hospital, and Dolly helped deliver their son on the bathroom floor of their home.
It makes sense that Zara would have Dolly on speed dial for the births of her children, considering she worked as a maternity professional for the NHS in Gloucestershire for 13 years.
Dolly also worked in the maternity unit of a hospital in Kambia, Sierra Leone, for a month as part of the Kambia Appeal in 2013, teaching staff basic nursing and drama skills.
Like Zara, who was awarded an MBE in 2007 for her services to equestrianism and won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics as a member of Great Britain’s eventing team, Dolly loves horses.
Dolly was a bridesmaid at Zara and Mike’s wedding in 2011 and was present at the birth of their three children: Mia, 9, Lena, 5, and Lucas, two.
With a shared love of horses, Dolly and Zara quickly became close and lived together briefly in 2003 after the royal’s relationship with her fiancé Richard Johnson ended.
Like Zara, who was awarded an MBE in 2007 for her services to equestrianism and won a silver medal at the 2012 Olympics as a member of Great Britain’s eventing team, Dolly loves horses.
Before becoming a midwife, Dolly ran Dolly Maude Equine Ltd, a company that rehabilitated injured racehorses with a view to returning them to the racecourse. She also brought in young thoroughbreds and trained point-to-pointers.
Photos on her social media pages suggest that she is also no stranger to competing in equestrian events, including dressage and cross country.
She is married to Chris Maude, 52, a former jump jockey turned valet master, who comes from a farming background and grew up in the Hatherleigh area of Devon.
His successes in the saddle included wins in the Grand National hurdles with Indian Tonic (twice) and Young Hustler, as well as the 1997 Tote Gold Trophy on Make A Stand, the 1995 Mildmay-Cazalet Chase on Deep Bramble and the Greenalls Chase 1998. in Dom Samourai.
Before becoming a midwife, Dolly ran Dolly Maude Equine Ltd, a company that rehabilitated injured racehorses with a view to getting them back on the track.
The 51-year-old also shares Zara’s wry sense of humor.
Dolly has four children with her husband Chris: Billy, 26, Nell, 24, Ted, 17, who was the Tindalls’ page and is Zara’s godson, and Mary, 15.
It is not known how Dolly and Zara met, although it seems likely that it was through horse riding, and it appears that Dolly has given her friend some advice on horse training.
In 2008, as Zara prepared to saddle her first rider as a trainer, Dolly told Horse and Hound: ‘Zara does absolutely everything with him. She rides him every day and educates him; everything depends on her. She’s done a fantastic job because he’s quirky, but she’s made him very, very happy.”
NHS midwife Dolly Maude, 51, left, is a close friend of Zara Tindall and will now become a bridesmaid to the Princess Royal.
Shared love for horses: Couple spotted at Ascot enjoying watching the races in 2021
A royal spokesperson was later forced to clarify that the badge Dolly was wearing was actually a joke.
With her close ties to the Royal Family, perhaps it should come as no surprise that Princess Anne selected Dolly to become her lady-in-waiting.
In fact, last January, Dolly appeared with her best friend at Cheltenham Racecourse wearing a plaque that read “Lady in Waiting.”
A royal spokesperson was later forced to clarify that it was actually a joke.
But now the midwife will have an official role under Princess Anne, The Telegraph Has revealed.
One of Dolly’s friends said: “For the Princess Royal, it is a perfect fit due to their shared love of dogs and horses.”
Buckingham Palace is expected to announce the appointment on February 1, when Mrs Maude will be revealed as one of four newly appointed ladies-in-waiting for the King’s sister.
Dolly has four children with her husband Chris: Billy, 26, Nell, 24, Ted, 17, who was the Tindalls’ page and is Zara’s godson, and Mary, 15.
A bridesmaid has traditionally been the wife or daughter of a partner, but can also be a cousin or close friend.
“Not only is she very close to Zara, but she also gets along great with the princess. She is tremendously loyal and discreet. She is a great match.”
Buckingham Palace is expected to announce the appointment in a Court Circular on February 1, when Dolly will be revealed as one of four newly appointed ladies-in-waiting to the King’s sister, to replace others who have retired.
A bridesmaid has traditionally been the wife or daughter of a partner, but can also be a cousin or close friend.
They act as companions on royal engagements and also help with their daily tasks.