Mike Tindall’s daughter Lena, 6, hangs off his arm

Mike Tindall was every inch the doting father as he arrived with his three children to watch his wife Zara compete at the Burghley Horse Trials today.

The former rugby union player was joined by his daughters Mia, 10, Lena, six, and son Lucas, three, at Burghley House near Stamford, Lincolnshire on Saturday afternoon.

Mike, 45, was pictured carrying his youngest child through the grounds, before his six-year-old daughter clung to his arm to be lifted inches from the grass.

The royal also stopped to take photographs with fans who spotted him on a day out with his family – snapped by his eldest daughter, 10-year-old Mia.

The royals were at Burghley House to watch Zara compete on her horse Class Affair in the cross country section of the Burghley Horse Trials.

The former rugby union player was joined by his daughters Mia, 10, Lena (above), six, and son Lucas, three, at Burghley House near Stamford, Lincolnshire on Saturday afternoon

Later in the day, the three children were clearly enjoying their day out, grabbing an ice cream and showing off their karate moves in the friends and family area.

Mike was even seen spinning three-year-old Lucas in the air, after the youngster started a play-fight with his six-year-old sister, Lena. 

Her supportive husband Mike kept things casual in a white T-shirt and blue jeans, finishing his ensemble with a baseball cap and khaki backpack.

Lena and Lucas were also dressed casually for the day, while their elder sister Mia was her father’s mini-me in jeans, a T-shirt and a baseball hat.    

The Defender Burghley Horse Trials is an annual three-day event typically held at Burghley House near Stamford in early September. 

The Tindalls’ outing comes after Zara hailed her mother for teaching her the importance of ‘good quality clothing’ as she unveiled her collection of raincoats.

Mike, 45, was pictured carrying his youngest child through the grounds, before his six-year-old daughter clung to his arm to be lifted inches from the grass

The royal also stopped to take photographs with fans who spotted him on a day out with his family – snapped by his eldest daughter, 10-year-old Mia (above)

Zara is due to compete on her horse Class Affair in the cross country section of the Burghley Horse Trials

The 43-year-old, who is often named the most fashionable royal, has worked in collaboration with Musto and Fairfax & Favor to create a collection of jackets, which range in price from £350 to £450.

The collection, named Odyssey, includes ‘very versatile’ styles, including both longline and shorter styles to suit every outdoor activity this autumn and winter.

Zara, the daughter of Princess Anne, said the jackets combine the strongest parts of two of her favourite brands.

Lena and Lucas were dressed casually for the day, while their elder sister Mia was her father’s mini-me in jeans, a T-shirt and a baseball hat

The Defender Burghley Horse Trials is an annual three-day event typically held at Burghley House near Stamford in early September

The Tindalls’ outing comes after Zara hailed her mother for teaching her the importance of ‘good quality clothing’ as she unveiled her collection of raincoats

She said: ‘Combining Musto’s technical prowess and Fairfax & Favor’s quintessentially British style has resulted in a collection of coats I’m looking forward to wearing this winter.’

The mother-of-three also told The Telegraph that her mother, the Princess Royal, has influenced what she values most when choosing her clothing.

She said: ‘Mum taught me the importance of having good quality clothing that keeps you warm and comfortable outdoors.

‘As a sportswoman who spends most of my time in nature, this is more important than ever to help me stay at my best.’