How the Queen's health woes may have influenced Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall's double christening

The Queen attended the joint christening of Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall's babies on Sunday

Queen's double christening attendance may reveal adjustments
(Image credit: Getty)

The Queen's health woes may have influenced Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall's decision to host a joint christening, rather than follow the royal tradition of individual ceremonies. 


Her Majesty delighted royal fans with her appearance at the double baptism of two royal newborns on Sunday evening, having spent the last couple of months battling ongoing health issues. 

The latest additions to the Queen's great-grandchildren, Princess Eugenie and Jack Brooksbank's son August, and Zara and Mike Tindall's son Lucas, were finally christened in a joint ceremony yesterday at the Royal Lodge at Great Windsor Park, after months of delays related to COVID-19. 

The 95-year-old monarch witnessed the special occasion alongside the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, the Duke of York, and a small number of other close family members. Dressed in a lime green ensemble complete with a matching hat, the Queen was photographed leaving the Berkshire residence in a black Range Rover at approximately 5 pm. 

Her Majesty's attendance at the milestone event was met by widespread relief from royal fans, many of whom had been concerned for her wellbeing ever since she pulled out of a trip to Northern Ireland in early October. 

The Head of State, whose husband Prince Philip died aged 99 in April, has canceled multiple royal engagements over the past couple of months and even stayed overnight in hospital due to undisclosed health issues. Alarm for her health mounted when the Queen missed Remembrance Sunday last week after spraining her back, marking the sixth time she had skipped the poignant memorial service in her 69-year-long reign. 

She has since been advised by doctors to rest at Windsor Castle, where she is undertaking light duties such as virtual audiences and Red Box filing. 

With so much concern over Her Majesty's condition ahead of the highly-anticipated Queen's Platinum Jubliee next summer, it's no surprise that her loved ones have adjusted significant events to accommodate her needs. Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall's decision to baptize their children together is a genius way to reduce the royal matriarch's risk of contracting COVID-19, requiring her to attend one public gathering rather than two separate ones. 

"I’ve never heard of two royal babies being christened together like this but it will be wonderful to have the Queen there," royal expert Penny Junor told the Metro before it was confirmed that Her Majesty would make an appearance. 

While Buckingham Palace has yet to provide any concrete statements on the Queen's health, her former daughter-in-law Sarah Ferguson has shared a reassuring update with fans. "She is doing well," she told French magazine Paris Match. "She is my icon. When I see her, I pinch myself to remind myself how lucky I am. She is an extraordinary woman."

Emma Dooney
Lifestyle News Writer

Hailing from the lovely city of Dublin, Emma mainly covers the Royal Family and the entertainment world, as well as the occasional health and wellness feature. Always up for a good conversation, she has a passion for interviewing everyone from A-list celebrities to the local GP - or just about anyone who will chat to her, really.

Emma holds an MA in International Journalism from City, University of London, and a BA in English Literature from Trinity College Dublin.