The former rugby star married Zara in 2011
Mike Tindall has a strong bond with his mother-in-law, the Princess Royal, and even invited Anne on his rugby podcast last year with the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The former England star, now 45, has been married to Princess Anne's daughter, Zara, since 2011.
Mike's nose before
In the run-up to their nuptials, Mike told producers and crew on the set of Sky One's that he admitted that his future mother-in-law had asked him to have corrective surgery on his nose.
The rugby pro had broken his nose at least eight times during his sporting career, but he politely turned down Anne's request to have it straightened as undergoing surgery would have interfered with his training schedule at the time.
Speaking to the in November 2011 a few months after his wedding, Mike defended his mother-in-law, saying "it was a light-hearted, jokey comment" adding: "It wasn't a big deal, and look at my nose - can you blame her?"
You may also like
How Zara Tindall brought back this royal birthing tradition
Why Zara and Mike Tindall live with mum Princess Anne on close-knit Gatcombe estate
Inside Zara and Mike Tindall's bond with son Lucas - 'They're a very tactile family'
Mike's nose after surgery
Mike, who was part of the England rugby squad who won the 2003 World Cup, retired from the sport in 2014.
The father-of-three underwent a procedure to straighten his nose in April 2018 ahead of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding.
Relationship with mother-in-law Princess Anne
During his appearance on in 2022, Mike recalled a hilarious anecdote with Princess Anne from Zara's 30th birthday party as seen in the clip below...
The sportsman told his fellow campmates Seann Walsh and Babatúndé Aléshé that he was dancing with the Princess Royal when his flared trousers ripped, exposing his boxers that had a rude message printed on them.
"Zara had like a 30th birthday, it was a disco 70s-themed one. I was dancing on the dance floor, I had like flares on, full outfit but it was quite tight, nothing ever fits - rugby player's bum and legs - so I was dancing with my mother-in-law and I did a [expletive] drop in front of my mother-in-law," he said.
Mike continued: "Ripped my trousers, straight in front of her. It happened to be that my boxers that I had on at that time said 'nibble my nuts,'" which prompted laughter from Seann and Babatúndé.
He added: "As I've turned round, she's [Anne] gone, 'I'd rather not.' I've gone, 'Yeah I'm going' and walked off."
Family life with Zara
Since their marriage at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh on 30 July 2011, Mike and Zara have welcomed three children – Mia, Lena and Lucas, born in 2014, 2018 and 2021 respectively.
The husband-and-wife duo couldn't be more in love, and Mike couldn't be more gushing about what a brilliant mother Zara is when he caught up with HELLO! last year.
When asked why his beautiful wife is such a wonderful mum, he said: "Her passion her compassion, her dedication. I think they are the foundations of any great mother, it's just born in.
"She punishes herself for going to work because she doesn't want to leave them, I take my hat off to all women out there."
LISTEN: Inside King Charles' private lunch with Princess Kate
Mike and Zara's children
Mike also revealed that his daughters have certainly inherited his sporty side and even attend rugby sessions every week.
"Both Mia and Lena go to Minchinhampton Rugby Club on a Sunday and they are only nine and four so we've got to give them a bit of time before the pressure comes on, but they love all sports and they play rugby as well."
LOVE THE ROYALS? JOIN THE CLUB!
If you are reading this, the chances are you are obsessed with all things royalty – which is just as well because so are we! So obsessed, in fact, we’ve launched a club solely dedicated to covering them. So welcome to The HELLO! Royal Club. We would love you to join us there…
What is it?
Interactive community offering behind-the-scenes access, exclusive royal interviews, unmissable royal insights, and an illustrious royal.
Member benefits
- Two weekly newsletters, one from Emily Nash
- Video posts and audio notes from Emily Nash and the HELLO! Royal team
- Access to our royal community and opportunity to interact with club writers and members
- Participate in polls, comments and discussion threads
- Royal-themed puzzles with a weekly prize to be won
- Access to our Ask Me Anything sessions with our journalists
- Invitations to in-person and virtual events
- A subscription to the digital edition of HELLO! Magazine (Worth £82 annually)*
- Future ‘Inner Circle’ benefits
By royal decree
You are royally invited to join The HELLO! Royal Club – and then to go forth and spread the word to your fellow royal fans. See you in the club!
Sign up to HELLO Daily! for the best royal, celebrity and lifestyle coverage
ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7qbHLpaammZeWx6q6xGeaqKVfp7y6rcutsGhtYWx9eIOOpqCknV2ptq%2BwwKWjZqqVm8K0scNmp6uhnpiytL%2BMmqWnnV2jvLSxjKOmm2Wimr62sdKtZJudlqS%2FpnnWnpudoZ6cfA%3D%3D