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'She was being a bit naughty': Mike Tindall opens up about the show-stealing moment his daughter Mia grabbed the Queen's handbag in her 90th birthday portrait

Mia and Queen's granddaughter Zara are parents to Mia, two
Toddler grabbed handbag during 90th birthday portrait by Annie Liebovitz
Former rugby player spoke about moment on Good Morning Britain
Said they encourage Mia's outgoing personality

Published: 09:30 GMT, 20 May 2016 | Updated: 10:06 GMT, 20 May 2016

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She stole the show when she was pictured clutching one of the Queen's famous black Launer handbags as the monarch and the youngest royals posed for a portrait to mark her 90th birthday.

Now Mike Tindall, 37, has revealed how the adorable moment happened 'at the right time' because his daughter Mia, two, was being 'a bit naughty'.

Opening up during an appearance on Good Morning Britain, the former rugby star who is married to the Queen's granddaughter Zara, 35, explained that her Majesty had also enjoyed the hilarious moment.

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Toddler Mia Tindally (left) stole the show when she was pictured clutching one of the Queen's famous black Launer handbags in the monarch's 90th birthday portrait shot by Annie Liebovitz

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'It just happened at the right time. She was being a bit naughty,' he explained. 'The queen got it quite right when she told her: "Just hold the handbag now".

'And she did that. It ended up being a great photo for her.'

He also revealed that the toddler is already very outgoing, something which her parents welcome.

'She's got quite a little personality on her, and we encourage that,' he said.

'It just turned out to be the right photo at the right time and it will be something we'll always cherish, I think.'

A royal source had previously confirmed that Mia picking up her great grandmother's £1020 handbag was completely unscripted.

‘The moment with Mia was completely spontaneous, it was not staged at all. She just picked up her great-granny’s handbag and that was it,’ they said.

The Queen's 90th birthday portrait featured the monarch with the youngest of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and was taken by Annie Liebovitz at Windsor Castle.

Mia was joined by her cousins Isla Phillips, three and her sister Savannah, five, daughters of Zara's brother Peter Phillips and his wife Autumn.

Mike Tindall, 37, has revealed on Good Morning Britain how the adorable moment happened because his daughter was being a bit 'naughty'

Mike, pictured with Mia at the Badminton Horse Trials earlier this month, said the portrait is something they will always cherish

Princess Charlotte perched on her great-grandmother's knee while Prince George stood alongside them.

Also in the portrait were James, Viscount Severn the eight-year-old son of the Earl and Countess of Wessex, and his sister Lady Louise, 12.

However, it was Mia who stole the show with her adorably cheeky display.

And many people on social media declared that she'd totally usurped Prince George as the cutest young royal.

Mia with her mother Zara Tindall and Princess Anne at the Badminton Horse Trials earlier this month

Mia Grace Tindall with her cousin Savannah Phillips. Her father Mike says that she already has quite a strong personality

Zara gave birth to Mia, the Queen's fourth great-grandchild, on January 17 2014.

More used to jeans and wellies, she wore a rose-pink knitted cardigan, jean skirt and smart ‘party’ shoes with pretty frilled socks and her hair swept to one side for the official portrait.

She is 17th in line to the throne, but like her mother, she does not hold a royal or aristocratic title. As when Zara herself was born, Mia’s name was a break from tradition as it had no precedent in the royal family.

Mike was appearing on GMB this morning to speak about the charity golf day, which he organises every year to raise money for the Matt Hampson Foundation and Rugby For Heroes, of which he is the patron.

The youngster looked a little sleepy while being carried on her father's shoulders at the Badminton Horse Trials

Proud dad Mike Tindall opened up about his daughter Mia on today's Good Morning Britain

The charity helps service personnel make the transition into civilian life.

And Mike, who retired from professional rugby in 2014, admitted that he can related to the struggle some go through when making the change.

'When you have to retire, you get depressed,' he revealed. 'You go from a life where you're told what to do every minute of the day.

The former rugby star appeared on the show to speak about his annual charity golf day

'You fall out of that routine and you have to deal with it yourself.

'I know i struggled in the few months after I finally retired. This is the same with people leaving the military. They've got a skillset but they don't know what to do with that.

'We try and bridge that gap and help people get back into civilian life.'