Zara Tindall says Queen Elizabeth II’s death left a ‘hole’ in her life as she praises her grandmother’s ‘huge influence’: ‘We are all so lucky to have had her for so long’

Zara Tindall has opened up about missing her grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, saying she was a “huge influence” in her life.

The royal, 42, daughter of Princess Anne, spoke to The Australian Women’s Weekly magazine about her bond with the late queen, who died in September 2022 at the age of 96.

Zara said: ‘When you have someone who has a great influence on your life [it leaves a hole]… We’re all lucky to have had her for so long.”

The mother of three, a professional equestrian, also talked about the special bond she shared with her late grandmother over horses.

She said: “She knew very well what was going on in my career growing up. You saw her real passion and love for the horses and that side of her.’

Queen Elizabeth had a passion for horse racing and passed on her love of the sport to her only daughter Anne and later to her eldest granddaughter, Zara.

Zara made her professional career in equestrian sports in 2003. She regularly competes in equestrian events and has previously won a number of Olympic and championship medals.

She was named Sports Personality of the Year in 2006 after winning the World Eventing Championship in Aachen, Germany.

The late monarch’s love of horses and racing led to a huge growth in equestrian sport in Britain and she gained respect as a breeder when her horse came second in the Epsom Derby.

She became patron of many equine organizations including the British Horse Society, the Fell Pony Society and the Highland Pony Society.

Zara also admitted she is grateful her children, Mia, nine, and Lena, five, and son Lucas, two, who she shares with husband Mike Tindall, got to meet their great-grandmother.

She said, “It was incredible to see that our children, her great-grandchildren, had that influence as well. It was a very precious time and we are extremely grateful for it.”

The royal (pictured), 42, daughter of Princess Anne, spoke to The Australian Women’s Weekly magazine about her bond with the late Queen

Although she said her youngest Lucas doesn’t remember his great-grandmother, he does have photos with her.

The busy mom of three also opened up about her “mom guilt,” saying it’s easy to feel guilty about not doing enough.

However, she admitted that she has learned to live with it because she knows it will “never go away.”

It comes after Zara looked effortlessly elegant last week as she attended her slave organization’s first ever winter gala with her cousin Princess Eugenie.

The royal was the epitome of sophistication in a modest dress, which matched Eugenie’s in glamor.

Zara looked sensational in the black tie-belt shirt dress with statement sleeves and wore her blonde locks in an updo at Battersea Arts Centre.

Zara, a professional equestrian, also revealed about the special equine bond she shared with her late grandmother (pictured at Royal Ascot in 2019)

Queen Elizabeth II greets her granddaughter Zara at a reception at Buckingham Palace in 2006

She was also spotted alongside Theresa May, Julia de Boinwille and Natalie Pinkham in the chic gathering.

Eugenie founded the Anti-Slavery Collective in 2017 with her friend Julia.

Singer Ed Sheeran was among the guests at the glitzy event, as was James Blunt – and even Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriend Cressida Bonas made an appearance.

Speaking ahead of the event at Battersea Arts Centre, Eugenie, 33, praised Ed Sheeran for his involvement, saying: ‘It’s the most insane thing. Ed is a game changer and a generational entertainer, so I absolutely can’t get over him coming.

“He’s also one of the nicest people, so I’m really honored and really grateful to have him here and helping us with the mission of The Anti-Slavery Collective.