Sources claim it’s not “really his thing”

Zara Tindall could have a new prominent role in the royal family, fulfilling obligations that her cousin Prince William reportedly isn’t as “comfortable doing”.

Sources told The Times that Zara, 44, may be given more horse racing duties when William is king in the future.

William attended Royal Ascot for just one day last week. It’s suggested that he may not share the same passion for equestrianism as his father King Charles and his late grandmother Queen Elizabeth II.

The Prince of Wales attended one day of Royal Ascot last week (Credit: Cover Images)

Prince William ‘not comfortable’ with attending racing events

A source told the broadsheet: “I never get the feeling the whole top hat and racing is really his thing, and he’s said as much.”

They added: “He’s never really seemed comfortable doing it.”

He knows that what his grandmother did and what his father does is an evolution.

Sources close to the prince have suggested that, while he “understands how important Ascot is,” he will take a more hands-off approach as king. It’s thought he may become less involved with both Royal Ascot and the royal stud at Sandringham compared to the monarchs before him.

Royal Insider has approached Buckingham Palace reps for comment.

How is Zara Tindall related to the royal family?

Zara is William’s first cousin, being the daughter of Princess Anne and her ex-husband Mark Phillips. Therefore, Charles is her uncle and the late Queen was her grandmother.

Zara is well-known for her love of horse racing. She even represented Team GB at the Olympic Games in London in 2012.

She has followed in the footsteps of her parents – they both represented the UK in horse riding.

Zara Tindall and Princess Anne are known for their love of horses (Credit: Cover Images)
So, if William did take a step back, that would give Zara an opportunity to use her extensive equestrian experience. At present, Zara and her husband, former rugby union player Mike Tindall, are not working members of the royal family.

They live on Princess Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire with their three children: Mia, Lena and Lucas.

By Zara reportedly taking on a larger role in the future, this would give William more opportunity to devote time to things he’s more comfortable with. At the same time, it would ensure that the royals’ connection to horse racing in the UK remains strong.

Also in The Times, a source said about William’s future reign: “He’s definitely been thinking a lot about how things will evolve over time. When the moment comes, he’ll want to do it his way: genuinely, not just following a script. He’s not afraid to dig into the details, ask the tough questions, and figure out what actually works today. He wants to make sure the whole thing has even more impact and remains relevant.”
William, seen here with his father Charles, is expected to “modernise” the monarchy when he becomes king (Credit: Cover Images)

William set to ‘modernise’ the monarchy

Jason Knauf, one of William’s closest confidants – and currently the chief executive of his Earthshot Prize environmental awards – added: “He has been thinking about the future for years. And, he knows that what his grandmother did and what his father does is an evolution. There are traditions and things that won’t change. But this thinking about the next [role] is how is this going to be reflective of him?

“That’s the way he thinks about the future. It’s all an evolution, making it work for what people expect of him and leaders of his generation. The late Queen didn’t keep doing the same thing for 70 years, and it won’t ever feel like it’s done. It will feel different but not jarring. He’ll want it to feel like a natural progression that people expect of him. If it feels like that, it will be a success.”

Meanwhile, royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams told the Daily Mail last week that William will modernise the monarchy when he becomes king.

He said: “William also wants to change things, and modernise aspects of the monarchy. While maintaining traditions which are valuable, such as the Opening of Parliament and Trooping the Colour.”