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."

Newsletter Stay up to date with Christian Today
News
Churches urged to help address UK fostering shortage
Churches urged to help address UK fostering shortage

Christian charities Home for Good and Safe Families UK are calling on churches across Britain to play a greater role in supporting vulnerable children.

Christians urge UN to keep human rights spotlight on Eritrea
Christians urge UN to keep human rights spotlight on Eritrea

Eritrea is sometimes called the "North Korea of Africa".

Many churches unconcerned about food ethics, survey suggests
Many churches unconcerned about food ethics, survey suggests

A survey conducted on behalf of environmental charity Green Christian has suggested that only a minority of churches take into account ethical concerns when serving food and drink.

Calls for investigation into disappearance of Protestant missionary in southern Mexico
Calls for investigation into disappearance of Protestant missionary in southern Mexico

The 79-year-old Protestant missionary has been missing for more than six weeks.