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Zara Tindall admits it was 'hard work' to get body 'back to where it was' after birth

 Zara Tindall attends a National Service of Thanksgiving to celebrate the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II at St Paul's Cathedral on June 3, 2022 in London, England
Zara Tindall has opened up about the struggle to get her body "back" after giving birth. (Getty Images)

Zara Tindall has opened up about the "hard work" it took to get her body "back to where it was" after giving birth.

Princess Anne's daughter, 40, who is a professional equestrian, shares three young children with husband Mike Tindall.

Appearing on the 44-year-old former rugby player's new YouTube series 'Mike Drop', the royal gave an honest insight into aspects of motherhood – including the physical toll taken on her body.

She said: "It was hard to get your body back when you've been riding for 25 years, and then your body is just completely not doing that.

Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall attends the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on December 25, 2022 in Sandringham, Norfolk
Princess Anne's daughter shares three children with husband Mike Tindall. (Getty Images)

"Your muscles [are] doing nothing and stretching and creating an amazing thing but it's completely different.

"Trying to get your body back to where it was, I found, was hard work."

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Zara gave birth to nine-year-old daughter Mia in 2014, then four-year-old daughter Lena in 2018, and one-year-old son Lucas in 2021.

King Charles' niece also revealed, in the interview with her husband, that she felt "mum guilt" continuing with her career.

Zara Tindall and son Lucas Tindall attend day 3 of the 2022 Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park on August 7, 2022 in Stroud, England
The royal (pictured with son Lucas) also opened up about "guilt" at continuing to focus on her career. (Getty Images)

The royal mother-of-three explained: "I found it hard getting myself back to it. Mentally, you feel guilty as a mother leaving your child to go and do something else."

She noted: "You do feel guilty. I felt guilty all the time. Even just going to go and ride. I just thought, that's an aspect of my life now."

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Zara explained how she has been able to find some balance by bringing their children to some of her equestrian events.

She said: "Mia was along for the ride with us as well. She was very much taken around to the shows – it was easier when we had one."

Watch: Zara Tindall praises her mother Princess Anne as a 'role model'