Zara honoured by Queen

Dec 20, 2006, 13:10 GMT

Britain's Zara Phillips attended a royal reception recognising the best British achievers of 2006 hosted by her grandmother Queen Elizabeth last night (19.12.06).

The queen held the special event at Buckingham Palace and Zara was invited as World Equestrian Champion and BBC Sports Personality of the Year.

The 25-year-old royal - the daughter of Princess Anne - kissed her grandmother warmly on both cheeks and formally curtseyed.

Zara then introduced the queen to her England rugby player boyfriend Mike Tindall.

Bookmakers have laid odds of 1/3 On, that the couple become engaged next year, while the odds of Prince William marrying girlfriend Kate Middleton are at 2/1.

Zara and Mike met as she was ending her relationship with National Hunt jockey Richard Johnson.

She says he has improved her training regime and he has called her "the love of my life".

Buckingham Palace refused to comment on the rumours they will announce their engagement at Christmas.

During last night's hour long reception in the palace's Music Room the queen also met Bafta award-winning actress Thandie Newton, star of 'Crash' and 'The Pursuit Of Happyness'.

British comedian David Walliams, who raised £1 million for charity this year by swimming the English Channel, was also invited.

He told Britain's Hello magazine: "The queen asked if I'd been covered in lard and I told her I had."

(C) BANG Media International