Royal Watch News

Zara Phillips to skip Olympics opening ceremony

Jun 20, 2012, 12:01 GMT

Zara Phillips

Zara Phillips will skip the Olympics opening ceremony.

Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter - who has been picked for one of the five spots in the British eventing team - has decided not to attend the glitzy ceremony because she wants to focus on her training.

She explained: 'I would rather get on with my competition than go to the opening ceremony.'

Down to earth Zara - who is married to rugby player Mike Tindall - also revealed she is looking forward to staying at the Athletes' Village with all of the other competitors.

She said: 'In the past the equestrian has been based quite far out and this time they have made a big effort to have it as part of the Olympics and really nearby [to the village], so it will be great to have the atmosphere and benefit from that.'

Zara has been chosen for Team GB's eventing squad alongside William Fox-Pitt, Mary King, Piggy French and Tina Cook.

Her mother Princess Anne, and father, Captain Mark Phillips, have both previously competed in the Olympics.

Anne took part in the 1976 Olympic Games in Montreal, Canada, as a member of Britain's equestrian team and Mark won a gold medal as part of Britain's three-day eventing team at the 1972 Olympics in Munich, Germany, as well as a silver medal in the same discipline at the 1988 Games in Seoul.