EXCLUSIVEInside Charles and Zara's unbreakable bond: How the King chose her name - as body language expert says monarch's niece looked like 'a girl who wants to hold onto the uncle she loves forever' in recent embrace
- The pair have frequently been observed being affectionate over the years
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It's no secret that the King has a close bond with his daughter-in-law, Catherine, Princess of Wales.
But Charles shares an equally deep connection with his niece, Zara Tindall.
The duo have frequently been observed displaying affection over the years, most recently at the Royal Windsor Horse Show.
Zara was seen warmly embracing her uncle and, within moments, they were laughing heartedly together.
'Her face over his shoulder is wreathed in smiles and, for a moment, her body language looks very much like that of a little girl who wants to hold onto the uncle she clearly loves forever,' body language expert Judi James told MailOnline.
However, Zara's tender demeanour also suggests concern for her uncle's health, as Judi noted:
'Zara's latest PDAs show a level of fondness tinged with concern and relief. She hugs Charles tightly with both arms around his body and with their torsos pressed close to show her delight at seeing him out and about again.'
Given Charles's unwavering relationship with his sister, Princess Anne, it's perhaps unsurprising that he has a strong tie with her daughter, too.
In fact, Charles even played a role in naming his niece by suggesting a Greek name with the meaning 'radiance'.
Anne once admitted: 'The baby made a rather sudden and positive arrival, and my brother thought Zara was an appropriate name.'
![Zara was seen warmly embracing her uncle King Charles at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Within moments, they were laughing heartedly together](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/09/13/84618335-13396029-image-a-21_1715256549618.jpg)
Zara was seen warmly embracing her uncle King Charles at the Royal Windsor Horse Show. Within moments, they were laughing heartedly together
![Their happiness was infectious as everyone else around them were smiling and laughing too](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/10/14/84708377-13396029-Their_happiness_was_infectious_as_everyone_else_around_them_were-m-44_1715349453956.jpg)
Their happiness was infectious as everyone else around them were smiling and laughing too
![Unlike her cousins, Zara and her brother, Peter, were not bestowed with royal titles and this might explain Zara's comfort with breaking royal protocol through her tactile behaviour towards her uncle](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/10/14/84708297-13396029-image-a-39_1715349047054.jpg)
Unlike her cousins, Zara and her brother, Peter, were not bestowed with royal titles and this might explain Zara's comfort with breaking royal protocol through her tactile behaviour towards her uncle
Unlike her cousins, Zara and her brother, Peter, were not bestowed with royal titles and experienced a comparatively ordinary upbringing.
This might explain Zara's comfort with breaking royal protocol through her tactile behaviour towards her uncle.
And it seems that Charles, who is considered to be more reserved, does not have any objections.
'Seeing Zara break through Charles's rather awkward approach to any PDAs and throw fond hugs and playful cheek-kisses has always been a delight, especially seeing how happy it has made Charles to be on the receiving end,' Judi said.
While the pair has always shared a strong connection, the King's recent decline in health has undoubtedly deepened their bond.
Judi explained: 'It might have been impossible to imagine that Zara's wonderful, spontaneous and full-on tactile greeting rituals of her uncle King Charles would have any more stages in terms of an emotional upgrade, but since his current ill-health that is exactly what has happened.'
Zara and Charles share a fondness for horses and an enthusiasm for equestrian sports, which often sees them uniting at Royal Ascot.
On such occasions, Zara greets her uncle by throwing her arms around him and kissing his cheek.
'Protocol doesn't trouble Zara when it comes to treating Charles like any other uncle she is fond of and we can see her firm hand on Charles's back or her confident arm-clasp as she lands her cheek-kisses,' Judi said.
'She receives reciprocal signals of fondness, too, as the pose with their arms round each others backs as they chat shows.'
![The pair share a fondness for horses and an enthusiasm for equestrian sports, which often sees them uniting at Royal Ascot](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/09/13/84618327-13396029-image-m-35_1715256755949.jpg)
The pair share a fondness for horses and an enthusiasm for equestrian sports, which often sees them uniting at Royal Ascot
![Zara often breaks royal protocol through her tactile demeanour towards King Charles](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/09/13/84618341-13396029-image-a-29_1715256648488.jpg)
Zara often breaks royal protocol through her tactile demeanour towards King Charles
![Zara greets her uncle by throwing her arms around him and kissing his cheek](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/09/13/84618337-13396029-image-m-32_1715256729728.jpg)
![The monarch's deep connection with his niece is evident](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/09/13/84618329-13396029-image-m-34_1715256738979.jpg)
Zara is known to greet her uncle by throwing her arms around him and kissing his cheek
![Princess Anne leaving the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital with baby Zara in her arms, May 19, 1981](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/10/14/84708223-13396029-image-m-2_1715348837656.jpg)
Princess Anne leaving the Lindo Wing of St Mary's Hospital with baby Zara in her arms, May 19, 1981
Both Charles and Zara learned to ride as children, with the King being taught by his mother, Queen Elizabeth, at the age of four.
However, Charles' fondness for racing is less pronounced.
While Zara, akin to Anne, showed fearlessness over the jumps, Charles preferred to remain firmly on the ground, which lead to his passion for polo.
Zara followed in her mother's footsteps, taking part in the 2012 Summer Olympics as a member of the Great Britain Eventing Team.
She won a silver medal, which was aptly presented to her by Princess Anne.
Charles, on the other hand, took up polo in 1961 at the age of 13, while attending Gordonstoun in Scotland.
The sport offered Charles an escape from the bullying he experienced at the boarding school. 'I was all for it', he said. 'At least you stay on the ground.'
Three years later, he was playing with his father, Prince Phillip, at the Household Brigade Polo Club.
![It was Day 1 of Ascot when Zara was seen hugging her Uncle Charles in the royal box in 2008](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/10/14/84708305-13396029-image-a-41_1715349189224.jpg)
It was Day 1 of Ascot when Zara was seen hugging her Uncle Charles in the royal box in 2008
![Although Zara is not a working royal, she plays a significant part in Charles's inner circle](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/09/13/84618345-13396029-image-m-39_1715256818702.jpg)
![Zara's close bond with her Uncle Charles has continued to strengthen over the years](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/09/13/84618353-13396029-image-a-40_1715256825320.jpg)
Zara's close bond with her Uncle Charles has continued to strengthen over the years
![Charles was admiring his niece's hat as they attended the Christmas Day Service on the Sandringham Estate in 2009](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/10/14/84708309-13396029-image-m-43_1715349277533.jpg)
Charles was admiring his niece's hat as they attended the Christmas Day Service on the Sandringham Estate in 2009
![Zara spent a great deal of time with her cousins, Prince William and Prince Harry, during her childhood (pictured with William in 1988)](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2024/05/09/13/84618347-13396029-image-m-42_1715256855946.jpg)
Zara spent a great deal of time with her cousins, Prince William and Prince Harry, during her childhood (pictured with William in 1988)
Zara spent a great deal of time with her cousins, Prince William and Prince Harry, during her childhood.
This created an opportunity for her to form a close bond with her Uncle Charles, a connection that has continued to strengthen over the years.
Although Zara and her rugby star husband, Mike, are not working royals, they are still a significant part of the King's inner circle.
They have been pictured with senior members of the family at recent landmark events, such as the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in 2022 and Charles's coronation celebrations last year.
The Tindalls also joined the family for the Christmas Day service in Sandringham last December, followed by a festive lunch.
Speaking of food, Charles's dietary habits are not too dissimilar from his niece's.
Following her pregnancies, Zara eliminated red meat from her diet, leading her husband to prepare his own meals.
She also avoids eating carbohydrates and sugary foods.
Meanwhile, Charles has recently cut down on his meat consumption, adhering to a diet that is predominantly plant-based.
He abstains from eating meat or fish for two days a week and adopts a completely vegan diet for one day a week.
Perhaps Zara served as the inspiration behind the King's newfound commitment to health.