Zara Tindall's love of horses discusses by commentators

       Unlike many of the late Queen's grandchildren, Zara Tindall is not a high-profile or working member of the Royal Family, so she always appeared to enjoy an informal relationship with her grandmother.

       Zara has carved out her own very accomplished career in equestrianism - a passion she shared with the late Queen. The late monarch always seemed to beam with pride for her eldest granddaughter whenever she encountered her in public.

       Express.co.uk spoke to body language expert Judi James to get her thoughts on the late Queen and Zara's body language over the years.

       The late Queen and Zara often crossed paths at extended Royal Family events or horse racing fixtures, and according to the body language expert, Zara managed to win her grandmother over with her famously "very relaxed" attitude.

       Ms James explained: "It’s pretty clear from the late Queen’s body language that she adored Zara and that, importantly, she felt super-comfortable in her presence.

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       (Image: GETTY)

       The Queen meeting Zara and Mike in 2006 at Buckingham Palace (Image: GETTY)

       "This shouldn’t be unusual for a grandmother and grandchild but Zara is something of a pioneer in the Royal Family in terms of her very relaxed and tactile body language in public, while the Queen was famous for being far more formal and hands-off.

       "Zara’s body language looks spontaneous while the Queen’s was anything but. There was always some mutual compromising when they met, with the Queen often the one being slightly more flexible but looking delighted to do so."

       At one of their earlier meetings at Buckingham Palace back in 2006, Ms James highlighted how Zara's future husband Mike Tindall gave away with his facial expression just how much love Zara and the late Queen shared.

       She said: "Mike’s wide grin said it all really, as he watched signals of very open affection between the Queen and her granddaughter.

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       The Queen and Zara Tindall at Ascot in 2012 (Image: GETTY)

       "It was the Queen who couldn't wait to hug Zara, throwing her arms up in a truncated greeting gesture and smiling in what looked like delight.

       "Zara returned the expressions of warmth by bending her torso while raising her chin for the cheek kiss, with her arms held out to form a mutual embrace."

       On another occasion, this time at Ascot in 2012, Zara and the late Queen looked deep in conversation as they immersed themselves in their favourite shared hobby.

       Ms James added: "Zara managed to bend to speak to her grandmother but her sideways angle of lean meant she did it without compromising the Queen’s dignity.

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       The Queen and Sophie, Countess of Wessex chatting to Zara Tindall at Ascot, 2019 (Image: GETTY)

       "She also created closeness between their heads as she did so, signalling mutual trust and bonding. The women mirrored each other as they pointed and gazed, suggesting friendship as well as fondness.

       "Zara managed to signal the subtler gestures of respect too, pulling her bag carefully to the front of her waist and keeping a spatial gap between their torsos."

       At a more recent outing to Ascot in 2019, Zara and the late Queen's playful friendship was once again on full display. Ms James explained: "Zara clearly kept her aunt and grandmother entertained, prompting an open-mouthed chuckle from Sophie while the late Queen performed a very authentic-looking smile of amusement.

       "The way her hands were crossed in front of her torso suggested she would be happy to stand there all day chatting and listening to Zara, who seemed to bring out the rather naughty sense of humour that the Queen was known for."

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