Zara Phillips is due to give birth in January. Her due date is January 14—but according to this Daily Express “exclusive” article she feels like she could give birth at any time. What I love is that she is planning a simple birth in an NHS hospital in Gloucester—the same hospital where Peter’s wife gave birth to their two daughters—instead of going with a super expensive, private hospital. What I also love is that Zara totally plans to get back to her career as soon as possible and will take the baby on the eventing circuit with her—just like Anne did with her children. People were complaining, or criticizing her when she announced that she would continue riding and get back into showing as soon as possible (back when she announced the pregnancy), but I love her for that. There is no reason for her to give up her career just because she has a baby. And I doubt she’s planning on taking a ridiculous amount of maternity leave, either (side-eye to Kate Middleton).
Also, Zara is not planning to have any nannies. I have to side-eye the “no nannies” thing just a bit, only because if she is planning to go back to full-time riding then she will need someone to look after the baby while she is riding and showing, but maybe Mike is planning on following her around and taking care of the baby while she’s busy. Or Anne or some other family member. I don’t know. But good for them if all this is true.
Zara and Mike’s child will be 16th in line to the throne and will not have a royal title. Anne chose not to have her husband be given any title and so her children do not have any title, so neither Peter’s nor Zara’s children will ever have any royal title.
I doubt that Zara will be able to spring back into the saddle immediately since she’s got to give her body time to heal after birth. I think she won’t drag her feet about getting back, though. And I throw no shade at her if she decides to have a nanny when she’s back on the circuit; if Mike has a job he wouldn’t be able to watch the baby and there’s certainly no shame in hiring someone like any upscale professional couple would.
She’ll likely take a few weeks off, but I’ll bet she’ll be back in the saddle by February.
The only thing I throw shade at is the statement that they will have no nanny, because she will need one if both parents are working, not the hiring a nanny bit if they do decide to get one. If they need a nanny, then they need a nanny, but be honest about it. What I don’t like–and this is the same for the Cambs, and a lot of celeb mothers–is the projected image of “no nanny” when they really do have one. There is no shame is saying you have a nanny if you are working full time. Kate (and a lot of celeb mothers), on the other hand, tried to play it that she didn’t have a nanny at all because she is such a hands on mother, while she really did have a nanny the entire time.
I’m not sure what Mike does anymore (he’s not playing rugby anymore, right?), that’s the only reason I suggested that he might be taking care of the baby, but to be honest he doesn’t seem like the stay-at-home dad type.
I don’t think Zara will waste any time, either, but I hope she’s not premature about resuming her work. I’m sure she’ll be cautious, though. And if this couple is saying that they won’t have a nanny when in reality they will, that will really annoy me. It does seems to be the prevailing attitude nowadays that certain royals and celebrities have that they’re just like the common person that gets me. They’re not, so accept it. I certainly do. If I were in their position, I would certainly take advantage of what my money can bring me. I can deal with it better if they just come out and admit they have a nanny or other amenities that jive with their lifestyle rather than concealing that they’ve had one all along. I hope Zara and Mike don’t play this game because I find them to be a down-to-earth couple. And Mike indeed does have a job, so I guess he won’t be home rocking the cradle. Not that I think he would have the disposition to do it, but you never know! 🙂
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/club/10046426/Mike-Tindall-extends-career-by-signing-new-one-year-player-coach-contract-at-Gloucester.html
Thanks for the link. Yes, for some reason it is the trend now for celebs who become mothers to lie about the fact that they have a nanny. I understand why they would have a nanny if they are working long hours on set and whatnot, I would have one too if I were in that position. No harm in admitting you have a nanny, the problem is the lying to protect an image.
That’s what bugged me about the Cambs claim they didn’t have a nanny, because it was obvious that they would get one. If they had come out and said they had one right away, then no one would have cared.
Zara and Mike do seem really down-to-earth.
I want to say that I simply adore this site. Its my “guilty pleasure.” LOL! Your insights into the RF are very spot on, in my opinion. As to this post, it doesn’t really surprise me that Willy is taking off for “schooling” without his wife and kid. He does not really seem that interested in either of them. Every time something happens like Kate goes to the hospital for morning sickness or whatnot, he is somewhere off without her.
Thank you 🙂
As for William, I agree with you, he doesn’t seem that interested in either of them. He really did seem to enjoy fatherhood for a second there, but then George started crying and being a very fussy baby and William didn’t/doesn’t like–I think, given how much William has complained. I think he spends way more time away from Kate, and maybe now George, than the public is aware. He had his RAF scapegoat for a while there, but now that’s over. Maybe the schooling is taking it’s place?