Zara and Mike Tindall looked a little windswept as they arrived at a memorial service for King Constantine of Greece this morning.
The daughter of Princess Anne, and her former rugby ace husband, walked alongside the Princess Royal as they headed to St George’s Chapel in Windsor for the service remembering the exiled king, who died in January 2023.
As they strolled along in the wintry conditions, Zara’s blonde locks were windswept – although she was wearing a hat which helped hold her updo in place.
The royal, 42, walked alongside her husband, 45, mother and stepfather, Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence, as they attended the memorial service for the cousin of King Charles.
She was joined by the Duke and Duchess of York as well as royals from all over the world including Queen Letizia and King Felipe, while King Charles remains absent from the event as he is undergoing cancer treatment. Prince William, the godson of the late Constantine, pulled out of the event last minute citing ‘personal reasons’.
Zara Tindall arrived at St George’s Chapel arm-in-arm with her rugby ace husband Mike to attend the memorial service for King Constantine of Greece
As they arrived at the service of thanksgiving, Zara opted for a navy coat dress and hat while Mike chose a navy tie.
The service is not a funeral and therefore wearing black is not mandatory – however attendees often choose to wear black or dark colours, such as navy.
The couple’s appearance at the service follows a trip to Iceland in which they appeared to do some diving, visited geysers and explored the landscape.
Mike posted a clip on his Instagram page which shared snippets from the trip, including sweet selfies of himself and Zara wrapped up warm in the icy weather.
It was unclear whether the couple took their three children, Mia, 10, Lena, five, and Lucas, two, with them.
In the absence of the Prince of Wales and King Charles, Queen Camilla instead led members of the Royal Family at the event.
No further detail was given on William’s absence, and it is not known if this relates to his wife Kate Middleton ‘s ongoing recovery after her abdominal surgery last month.
The Prince of Wales, who was due to give a reading, called the family to apologise, while Kensington Palace confirmed Kate was ‘doing well’ as she recovers at home.
Constantine II of Greece, who died in January 2023, was William’s godfather. Kate will remain away from official royal engagements until after Easter after her surgery.
As Zara, 42, and Mike, 45, arrived at the ceremony in Windsor, they were joined by Princess Anne and other members of the royal family
Prince Andrew was present today with Sarah, Duchess of York and his daughter Princess Beatrice because it was deemed a personal family event.
It is also understood that the Duke of York was attending the service as a member of the British Royal Family and had been invited by the Greek Royal Family.
As for Charles, he was at Windsor Castle earlier in the day but left before the service began – with the reception afterwards set to be hosted by Camilla.
Today’s service at St George’s Chapel was held in honour of the King’s close friend and second cousin Constantine II, the former ruler and last king of Greece.
As she departed St George’s Chapel in Windsor following the service, Zara put her arm around racing driver Sir Jackie Stewart
Zara and Mike shook the hand of the priest who carried out the memorial service as they left the chapel
Rugby ace Mike looked sharp in a warm tailored coat and a navy blue tie
Zara mustered a smile during the solemn occasion as the guests sat down for the memorial at St George’s Chapel
Zara caught up with her cousin Princess Beatrice and her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi outside the chapel
The royals made their way inside the chapel for the memorial service dedicated to the late King who died in January 2023
As she walked into the ceremony, Zara shared a sweet moment with Penny Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma
Zara Tindall, 42, looked windswept yet elegant as she arrived at St George’s Chapel arm-in-arm with her rugby ace husband Mike, 45, her mother Princess Anne and stepfather Vice Admiral Sir Tim Laurence
Members of the royal family also present at the ceremony to commemmorate the life of the late exiled King of Greece were the Duke and Duchess of York
The King has reportedly sought spiritual advice from his friend Archimandrite Ephraim, Abbot of the Greek Orthodox Vatopedi monastery on Mount Athos.
Constantine was a first cousin once removed and sailing partner of the late Duke of Edinburgh, and died at the age of 82 in January last year, decades after being toppled from the throne in a military coup.
The King had a close friendship with Constantine, choosing him as a godfather for his son William, now the Prince of Wales.
The former king was also godfather to the daughter of Prince and Princess of Michael of Kent, Lady Gabriella Kingston.
With the King and Princess of Wales unable to attend the memorial due to ill health, and Prince William pulling out due to ‘personal reasons’, Queen Camilla (pictured) is leading the mourners for The Firm
(front row left to right) Princess Olympia of Greece, Prince Achilleas of Greece, Carlos Morales and Princess Tatiana of Greece joined by (second row left to right) King Felipe of Spain, Queen Letizia of Spain, King Juan Carlos of Spain and Princess Benedikte of Denmark at Windsor today
Crown Princess Marie Chantal of Greece and Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece at Windsor today
(left to right) Queen Anne-Marie of the Hellenes, Crown Prince Pavlos of Greece, Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece and Princess Alexia of Greece attend the service today
Felipe VI of Spain and Queen Letizia of Spain are greeted as they attend the service today
Penelope Knatchbull, Countess Mountbatten of Burma, Thomas Hooper and Lady Alexandra Hooper arrive at St George’s Chapel today for the thanksgiving service for King Constantine
Camilla and other family members will be joined by the late king’s widow Queen Anne-Marie, their eldest son, Crown Prince Pavlos and other members of the Greek royal family for the service in the nave of the 15th century chapel.
Charles was unable to attend Constantine’s funeral in Athens last year because of commitments which included meeting the president of Cyprus. The Princess Royal represented him at the service.
Constantine, who died in an Athens hospital, acceded to the throne at the age of 23 in 1964.
The young king, who had won Olympic gold in sailing, was initially hugely popular.
By the following year he had squandered much of that support with his active involvement in the machinations that brought down the popularly elected Centre Union government of prime minister George Papandreou.
The episode, still widely known in Greece as the ‘apostasy’ or defection from the ruling party of several politicians, destabilised the constitutional order and led to a military coup in 1967.
Constantine eventually clashed with the military rulers and was forced into exile.
The dictatorship abolished the monarchy in 1973 and a referendum after democracy was restored in 1974 dashed any hopes Constantine had of reigning again.
He lived in exile for many years in Hampstead Garden Suburb in north London, before returning to his home country in 2013.