Royal fans were delighted to see several familiar faces as the Phillips and Tindall families stepped out together at the Cheltenham Races on New Year’s Day. The group marked the start of 2026 with a festive day at the famous racecourse on January 1, turning the occasion into a relaxed family celebration rather than a formal royal engagement.
Zara Tindall attended alongside her husband Mike, while her brother Peter Phillips brought his daughters Savannah and Isla. The outing also included Zara and Mike’s three children, Mia, Lena and Lucas, making it a rare moment where the cousins were seen enjoying time together in public.
Photos from the day quickly made their way onto social media, showing the group chatting, laughing and watching the races. One particularly sweet image captured a quiet moment between Peter and his youngest daughter Isla, which immediately caught the attention of royal watchers.
Isla Phillips compared to her aunt Zara
While all the children received warm comments, Isla Phillips quickly became the focus of the online reaction. Fans could not stop talking about how much she resembled her aunt Zara. Many described Isla as Zara’s “double”, pointing out similar facial features, expressions and even body language.
Comments poured in praising Isla’s appearance and maturity. Several people noted how quickly Savannah and Isla seem to have grown up, describing them as young ladies now rather than little girls. Others focused entirely on the family resemblance, saying Isla looked strikingly like Zara at the same age.
Some fans also spotted likenesses among the younger children, with a few remarking that Lucas appeared to have inherited features from Prince Philip. Overall, the consensus was clear. The family genes run strong, and the similarities between Zara and her niece are impossible to ignore.
Getting to know Isla Phillips
Isla Elizabeth Phillips is 13 years old and is the younger daughter of Peter Phillips and his former wife Autumn Kelly. She is currently 21st in line to the British throne. Isla has an older sister, Savannah, who recently turned 15. The two girls hold a special place in royal history as the late Queen Elizabeth II’s first great-grandchildren.
Peter and Autumn married in 2008 before separating in 2019, with their divorce finalised two years later. Despite the split, the family has continued to appear united at major occasions.
Last summer, Peter shared news of his engagement to NHS nurse Harriet Sperling. The announcement was warmly received by both families. Over the Christmas period, Peter and Harriet were spotted attending a church service at Sandringham alongside King Charles and other senior royals. However, they did not take part in the traditional Christmas Day walkabout, which Peter and his daughters have attended in the past.
The Cheltenham outing offered a relaxed glimpse into family life for the Phillips and Tindalls, and for royal fans, it provided another reminder of just how strong the family resemblance can be across generations.
