Zara Phillips, The Queen's oldest granddaughter and daughter of The Princess Royal, Princess Anne, has been chosen to present the Melbourne Cup on 3 November, according to News Limited newspapers. Ms Phillips is a cousin of Prince Harry and Prince William and is twelfth in line to the Australian, Canadian, British , New Zealand and other Commonwealth thrones.
She is a leading equestrian, having won both individual and team medals, including gold, in European championships. She unfortunately had to withdraw from the Beijing Olympics when her horse was injured.
Ms. Phillips supports many charitable causes. In 2003, she and Princess Anne took part in the first UK double ship-naming ceremony in Southampton. Princess Anne named the P&O Cruises liner Oceana and Ms. Phillips named its sister ship Adonia.
It is splendid to have a prominent member of the Royal Family – of our Australian Royal Family – at the Melbourne Cup. Let us hope that we shall be seeing them more often in Australia.