Kate Middleton, the Duchess of Cambridge, is expected to deliver the Royal baby this July but Buckingham Palace recently confirmed that another Royal baby is on the way. Zara Phillips, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth, officially announced about her pregnancy with husband Mike Tindall, a former England rugby star.

The statement from Buckingham Palace reads: "Mr and Mrs Mike Tindall are very pleased to announce that Zara Tindall is expecting a baby in the New Year. The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips, Mr Phillip and Mrs Linda Tindall and members of both families are delighted with the news. This baby will be the first child for Mike and Zara and the third grandchild for the Princess Royal."

Zara Phillips, 32, is the daughter of Princess Royal Anne and Captain Mark Phillips and got married to Mike Tindall in July 2011. She is due in January and the Royal baby will become the 16th in line to the throne and Queen Elizabeth's fourth great-grandchild.

The proud soon-to-be dad Mike Tindall posted a message of thanks to the well-wishers. "Thanks for all the kind messages. We are very excited and hopefully he/she won't have my nose," the 34-year-old former rugby star stated.

Peter Phillips, Zara's brother, expressed his joy as well over the pregnancy news of his sister. "Everyone is delighted, really, really happy for everyone and for both of them," Peter shared.

He further added that he is looking forward for his niece or nephew to play with his children. "We had cousins growing up so it's always nice to have family, to have cousins to play with. It's fantastic," Peter stated.

Zara, a respected British equestrian, still competed last Saturday even though she is already three months pregnant. Zara even tumbled during the Barbury International Eventing and Show in Marlborough, Wiltshire but a spokeswoman assured that the pregnant Zara is doing fine.

"It's her decision when she wants to stop but it's business as usual for now," the spokeswoman stated. When asked if Zara will participate in the next Olympics, the spokeswoman confirmed that the British equestrian can still enter the competition.

"She will carry on competing for a while longer and she is due at three events later this month, with rides on six horses. She can still compete. It totally depends on horses and whether she feels it's appropriate," the spokeswoman further declared.

Zara Phillips will compete next at the Brightling Park International Horse Trials in East Sussex on July 13. She is listed as well for the trials in Northants scheduled on July 19 and Bedfordshire on July 27.

RELATED STORIES
Kate Middleton