Zara Tindall laps up the Australian sun with Meghan Markle's close friend in rare photo

Zara Tindall smiling upwards in blue dress and hat
Zara Tindall during day three of Royal Ascot 2024 (Getty)

Zara Tindall looked fabulous on Friday as she headed to the Women with Horsepower lunch at The Star on the Gold Coast, where she has been lapping up the Australian sun for the Magic Millions carnival.

Princess Anne's daughter posed alongside a slew of well-dressed friends, and eagle-eyed royal followers will notice that among them was Delfina Blaquier, who happens to be a close friend of Meghan Markle.

Zara with Delfina Blaquier, Aurora Figueras, and Nicole Slater in summer looks and sunglasses
Zara was spotted with Delfina Blaquier who wore black and her daughter Aurora who wore a jumpsuit (Instagram/Valley Eye Wear)

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Who is Delfina Blaquier?

Delfina is the wife of Nacho Figueras, an Argentinian polo player who befriended Prince Harry at a charity polo match in 2007.

Nacho Figueras, Delfina Blaquier, Meghan, Duchess of Sussex and Prince Harry pose outside
Nacho and his wife share a close bond with Meghan and Prince Harry (Getty)

The pair have remained close friends with the Duke of Sussex, who introduced his now-wife to the sports star prior to their royal wedding.

prince harry in polo gear with friend
Prince Harry and Nacho go way back (Getty)

Through their husbands, Meghan and Delfina have forged a close bond, with the Argentine photographer previously referring to the Duchess of Sussex as her 'sister.'

Nacho Figuares and wife Delfina in line with Meghan and Prince Harry
Delfina has said Meghan is like a "sister" to her (Getty)

In an exclusive 2022 interview with HELLO!, Delfina revealed that Harry's wife is "stronger than she knows" and a "wonderful" working mum.

Nacho Figueras and Delfina Blaquier attend the wedding of Prince Harry to Meghan Markle
Nacho Figueras and Delfina Blaquier attended Harry and Meghan's wedding (Getty)

Zara teases their friendship

Delfina and Zara have developed a firm friendship, bonding over their love of horses. She and Zara are patrons of the Magic Millions carnival.

Zara and Mike in line up of people
Zara and Mike partied at a karaoke event alongside Delfina earlier on the trip (Instagram)

Delfina also shares Zara's sporty streak, as she competed internationally in the women's high jump in the 1990s and by 1998 was a two-time gold medallist at the South American Junior Championships in Athletics.

Zara's stylish look

Both Delfina and Zara looked supremely elegant for the Magic Millions VIP lunch. Prince Harry's cousin swapped her stylish outerwear and suede boots for a totally different look, having been kitted out with a new pair of Valley sunglasses.

She was also wearing a gorgeous shirt dress - the 'Aurelia' style from Rebecca Vallance in the mini length.

The stylish dress featured a vibrant floral print with a striped hem and a belted waistline for an extra cinched look. Her collared garment was teamed with a lovely metallic clutch from Anya Hindmarch and a pair of unexpected shoes – open-toed mules by Tony Bianco, for a laid-back look.

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Her sandy blonde hair was styled in a chic updo with one piece pulled out at the front to frame her face. Delfina looked fabulous in a one-shouldered black sundress teamed with flat sandals and a white shoulder bag.