Britain's Zara Phillips with husband Mike Tindall
Britain's Zara Phillips with her husband, former rugby player Mike Tindall, on Court 1 at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, July 8, 2015. Reuters/Toby Melville

Mia Tindall posing with her great grandmother Queen Elizabeth II’s famous patent black Launer handbag melted hearts of royal fans worldwide. The official portrait of the queen with her great-grandchildren and her two youngest grandchildren was released on the occasion of her 90th birthday. The British royal celebrated her milestone birthday on April 21.

Mia’s dad and former rugby player Mike opened up about the photoshoot after about a month. The 37-year-old was speaking on “Good Morning Britain” during an interview on Friday. He appeared on the show to speak about his annual charity golf day.

“It just happened at the right time. She was being a bit naughty,” said Mike, talking about his two-year-old daughter Mia, who stole the show in the official portrait. He added the queen asked the tot to “just hold the handbag now” which she did. Mike said that it became a great photo of his daughter.

It became the right photo at the right time, he said adding it would be something which they will always cherish. Mike revealed that Mia grabbing the handbag was completely unplanned. It was completely spontaneous, and was not staged at all.

The doting dad added that Mia just picked up her great-granny’s handbag. The photograph was taken by iconic photographer Annie Liebovitz. It featured the queen with her five great-grandchildren including Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Isla and Savannah Phillips (Peter Phillips’ kids) and Mia along with the monarch’s youngest grandchildren, Viscount James Severn and Lady Louise Windsor (Prince Edward and Sophie’s children).

In the picture, the nonagenarian royal is flanked by Mia and George on either side, while little Charlotte sits on her lap. Mia looks adorable in a blue skirt and a pastel colored cardigan. She also wears white socks paired with brown buckled shoes.

Her blonde hair is swept off her face and fastened with two clips, as she holds on to her great granny’s handbag. Meanwhile, her dad Mike said that he and his wife Zara Phillips always encouraged their daughter as she “got quite a little personality on her.” The former rugby star organizes a charity golf event every year to raise money for the Matt Hampson Foundation and Rugby For Heroes, of which he is the patron. It helps service personnel make the transition into civilian life.

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