Zara and Mike Tindall share heartbreaking news on Christmas Eve

The Queen's granddaughter Zara Tindall and her husband Mike have sadly lost the baby they were expecting, just days before Christmas.

Equestrian champion Zara and former England rugby player Tindall revealed at the end of November that they were expecting their second child, saying they were "very, very happy" and looking forward to 2017.

But on Christmas Eve it was announced they had lost the baby.

A spokeswoman for the couple said: "Very sadly, Zara and Mike Tindall have lost their baby. At this difficult time, we ask that everyone respects their privacy."

Mrs Tindall, 35, whose daughter Mia is nearly three, was due to give birth in late spring.

The spokeswoman would not give any details about the circumstances surrounding the loss of the couple's baby but it is understood Zara, who was four months pregnant when she miscarried, is not in any medical danger.

The baby would have been the Queen's sixth great-grandchild, and Her Majesty had said she was "delighted" at the news.

A spokesman at Buckingham Palace declined to comment on a private matter.

- NZ Herald