Queen attends church for christening of granddaughter Zara Phillips' baby girl, Mia

 (Photo: Roli Seeger)

The Queen and other members of the royal family gathered at a church in Cherington, Gloucestershire on Sunday to celebrate the christening of her great granddaughter baby Mia Grace Tindall.

Mia was born on January 17 to former rugby star Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips, the Queen's granddaughter.

At the christening were Phillips' mother, Princess Anne, grandfather, Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, and her first cousin, Prince William. Iain Balshaw, a former rugby player and friend of Tindall's, also attended. The Daily Express reported that the vicar was "a little nervous" about conducting the ceremony in the presence of royalty.

Zara's father, Captain Mark Phillips, did not attend the ceremony, although there are reports of a family lunch taking place before the christening.

In addition to being a wife and new mum, Zara is also an Olympic-level horse rider, and returned to her equestrian training just five weeks after giving birth.

She recently competed in the Alltech FEI World Equestrian Games in Normandy, and helped secure Great Britain's 2016 Olympic qualification. Phillips earned a silver medal at the 2012 Olympic Games, but hopes to win the goal in Rio de Janeiro. The 33-year-old will also continue to take Mia on the equestrian circuit with her.

"There's so many kids on the circuit, so many people who've had babies already," she told CNN.

"We're lucky because we can ride and go back and forth a bit, it fits in really well. It seems to have worked and hopefully it will keep going like that."

Phillips has also referred to herself as a "full-time mother," and said she cherishes spending time with her daughter.

"I've really enjoyed it," she said. "In a funny kind of way it's like having another type of high-performance horse on your hands.

"It's an incredible bond you have. I'm lucky, she's really good."

News
Is it time to spare Gen Alpha an injustice too cruel for words?
Is it time to spare Gen Alpha an injustice too cruel for words?

The neglect surrounding leprosy is condemning Generation Alpha — the very  generation our own children belong to — to avoidable disability, isolation and unimaginable cruelty. 

Foreign aid cuts leave Gen Alpha increasingly exposed to leprosy, Christian aid charity warns
Foreign aid cuts leave Gen Alpha increasingly exposed to leprosy, Christian aid charity warns

Children in some of the world’s poorest communities are facing a growing risk of leprosy, as reductions in overseas aid undermine efforts to detect and treat the disease, according to The Leprosy Mission Great Britain.

Goma experiences revival one year after invasion
Goma experiences revival one year after invasion

Despite great suffering and hardship, God is working.

Is Carney’s Davos sermon the way forward?
Is Carney’s Davos sermon the way forward?

Is there hope? Yes, but it is not in Carney’s Brave New World.