The Royal Family's best reactions to Zara Tindall's Olympics triumph
The Royal Family have a proud Olympic tradition which was carried on by Zara Tindall at London 2012, when she won a silver medal.
The Opening Ceremony of the Paris 2024 Olympics took place this evening - a spectacle that will surely bring back some bittersweet memories for Zara Tindall.
The 43-year-old equestrian took part in the London 2012 Games, her first time being able to compete despite having qualified for Athens 2004 and Beijing 2008.
Sadly an injury to her horse stopped her in those years being able to take part, making her silver medal glory on home turf all the more meaningful.
But further frustrations for Zara were to follow, as she did not qualify for Rio 2016 and did not try to at Tokyo 2020, which had to be postponed until 2021.
We also won't be seeing Princess Anne's daughter compete this time around, however to celebrate her triumph of 12 years ago Express.co.uk is looking back at her and the Royal Family's joy at the time.
Zara Tindall was part of Team GB’s Olympic success at London 2012 when she and the rest of her eventing team won a silver medal.
Several members of the Royal Family cheered her on, with her cousins Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Beatrice and Princess Eugenie there to give her support.
It was also a particularly special moment for her parents, Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, who had also been Olympians.
(Image: Getty)
Zara’s cousins Princes William and Harry, and William’s wife Kate were on hand to see her bring home Olympic silver in eventing.
The sport of eventing combines the discipline of dressage with the endurance of cross-country and skill of show jumping.
The Royal Family are known for their love of horses and horse-related sports, in particular the late Queen Elizabeth and Princess Anne.
(Image: Getty)
William, Kate, Harry, Beatrice and Eugenie could not hide the joy on their faces as they waved to Zara.
She competed in the eventing team alongside William Fox-Pitt, Mary King, Nicola Wilson and Tina Cook in front of spectators at Greenwich Park.
Zara had also been a European and World eventing champion, with the Olympic medal adding to her impressive collection.
(Image: Getty)
Zara’s medal win undoubtedly made her family very proud, and the team themselves were naturally delighted.
After their success, Zara said: "It's been a real honour to ride with everyone. We've had an amazing week. It's been great, an unreal competition, and when you get one of these [medals] put round your neck, it brings it back to you and you realise everything was worth it."
(Image: Getty)
The moment Zara Tindall was given her silver medal was extra special, as her team were handed their prize by her mother Princess Anne.
The Princess Royal herself is a former Olympian and will no doubt have been bursting with pride.
The Royal Family have long been connected to sport, and while they are not all professionals many will enjoy taking part.
(Image: Getty)