Zara Phillips sets wedding date

London - Buckingham Palace says Zara Phillips, Queen Elizabeth II's eldest granddaughter, will marry rugby player Mike Tindall on July 30 in Edinburgh.

The palace said on Wednesday the ceremony will take place at the Canongate Kirk church, followed by a reception at the Palace of Holyroodhouse - the official residence of the Queen when she visits Scotland.

The 29-year-old Phillips is close friends with her cousin, Prince William, who will marry Kate Middleton at Westminster Abbey on April 29.

Zara is the daughter of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips, who divorced in 1992. She is currently 12th in line to the throne.

She is an accomplished equestrian. She first met her fiancé when the 32-year-old Tindall was playing for England during the 2003 World Cup.