By Duncan Mackay

Zara Phillips celebrating London 2012 silver medalJuly 8 - Britain today announced its eventing team for the 2013 European Championships in Malmö, which was missing Zara Phillips, who revealed that she is pregnant.


Phillips, a member of the British team that won Olympic silver medals at London 2012, and her husband Mike Tindall, a member of the England rugby team that won the World Cup in 2003, are expecting their first child in the New Year, Buckingham Palace announced today. 

The 32-year-old Phillips, whose mother is Princess Anne, the Queen's second child after Prince Charles, is understood to be just over three months' pregnant.

"Mr and Mrs Mike Tindall are very pleased to announce that Zara Tindall is expecting a baby in the New Year... Members of both families are delighted with the news," Buckingham Palace said in a statement.

"This baby will be the first child for Mike and Zara and the third grandchild for The Princess Royal (Princess Anne)."

British Prime Minister David Cameron's spokesperson said it was "terrific news" that the couple were expecting a baby.

"The Prime Minister will send his very, very best wishes to the happy couple," he added.

The newest royal baby will become 16th in line to the throne and the fourth great-grandchild to the Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.

The absence of Phillips, the individual eventing world champion in 2006, a triumph which led to her being named BBC Sports Personality of the Year, will be a blow to the British team.

But such is their strength of depth that they will still be among the favourites for the event, which is due to start on August 28 and last until September 1.

The team for Malmö is led by Tina Cook and William Fox-Pitt, two of the five members of Britain's squad at London 2012, who will be riding Miners Frolic and Lionheart, the horses they rode in the Olympics.

Tina Cook on Miners FloricTina Cook, riding on Miners Frolic, will be hoping to add another medal to her collection at the European Championships in Malmö

It also includes Piggy French on Tinkas Time, Tom McEwen on Diesel, Izzy Taylor on KBIS Briarlands Matilda and Lucy Wiegersma on Simon Porloe.

"It is a very exciting squad that has been selected for this year's European Championships," said Yogi Breisner, Britain's World Class Eventing Performance Manager.

"It is great to have Piggy and Lucy back on the squad, and it is exciting to have two such capable riders as Tom and Izzy making their debut.

"With Tina and William also on the squad there is a wonderful balance between youth and experience.

"I would like to thank the owners for their tremendous support and for making their horses available to British riders; and to UK Sport and the World Class Programme that enables us to support these talented riders."

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