Zara Tindall, 38, is the Queen’s eldest granddaughter, and the only daughter of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips. Princess Beatrice, 31, is the eldest daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, the Duke and Duchess of York. Princess Beatrice excitedly announced her engagement this week, and is planning to marry her property tycoon boyfriend, Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi, in 2020.

While the Queen has, of course, never alluded to any favouritism between her grandchildren, she has always been known to favour the company of Zara.

She has reportedly always made time for “down-to-earth” Zara and her husband, Mike Tindall.

And now, new information suggests her favouritism might actually be down to her granddaughter’s parents.

When Zara was born, Prince Charles is said to have picked the name, and the Queen – who must approve all royal baby names – approved it, despite it being very unusual and exotic for a royal.

But when Fergie and Prince Andrew tried to name their first child, the Queen vetoed their heart’s desire.

Prince Andrew had said the couple had picked ‘Annabel’ as the name for their first daughter.

But after she was born and the couple asked for the Queen’s permission, she reportedly vetoed it as “too yuppie”.

Annabel is a Latin/French name which means grace and beauty, but it’s also the name of a Mayfair club, which the royals are often spotted at.

The couple, stumped, took nearly two weeks to decide on a new name for their firstborn.

The Sun reported at the time that the Queen herself suggested Beatrice instead, after Queen Victoria and Prince Albert’s youngest child.

The name was thought to be royal enough for the Queen while still being unusual enough to please Fergie.

While it’s not clear just why the Queen was less strict when it came to naming Zara, it seems her fondness for her eldest granddaughter has persisted.

Speaking to Fabulous Digital, Ingrid Seward, editor-in-chief of Majesty Magazine, said the Queen seeks out the Tindall’s company as much as possible.

She said: “They are certainly light relief. She can be herself around them.”

The Queen allegedly likes the Tindalls because they are “normal” and free of the “royal dramas”.

Ms Seward added: “The Queen has always adored Zara and is so proud of her riding success.

“They have a lot in common as they talk horses and the Queen has invested in several horses for her.”

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