Mike Tindall reveals what the royals are really like in private and why it’s ‘nothing like Downton Abbey’
Mike Tindall, former English rugby captain and husband of Zara Phillips, shares insights into the everyday lives of the royal family, revealing there is a far more down-to-earth reality behind the closed doors of Buckingham Palace.
Mike Tindall has offered a revealing glimpse into the private lives of the British royal family, claiming their lifestyle is “nothing like” the TV show Downton Abbey.
The 46-year-old former rugby star joined the royal fold in 2011 when he married Zara Phillips, daughter of Princess Anne and eldest niece of King Charles III.
Together, they share three children: Mia, 10, Lena, 6, and Lucas, 3, and are regulars at royal family events, most recently attending King Charles’ summer retreat at Balmoral Castle.
Since retiring from rugby, Tindall has become a familiar voice through his popular podcast, co-hosted with James Haskell and Alex Payne.
He is also about to release a new book, The Good, the Bad, and the Rugby: Unleashed.
In an excerpt from the book, shared by MailOnline, Tindall emphasised the royal family’s close-knit dynamic, stating they are “a very close family who loved each other dearly”.
He said he’s sometimes asked if the late Queen Elizbaeth II did informality like “normal” people, and the answer to that is “yes”.
“Her life wasn’t like an episode of Downton Abbey, with meals on long tables and everyone dressed in their finery every night.”
Instead, Tindall described informal scenes, including watching TV with the Queen and enjoying laid-back picnic lunches with the family.
“Zara and I would often watch the racing with her on TV, as I’m sure lots of people reading this have done with their gran,” he said.
He further revealed that family lunches, particularly in Scotland, were “relaxed,” often featuring picnics in the scenic Highlands.
Reflecting on these moments, Tindall shared: “There’s a great picture of my daughter Mia sitting with the Duke of Edinburgh that captures exactly what those afternoons were like: members of a very close family who loved each other dearly, spending precious time together.”
The Good, the Bad, and the Rugby: Unleashed is set to hit British bookstores on October 24, coinciding with the paperback release of Prince Harry’s memoir Spare.
Spare, originally published on January 10, 2023, contains explosive revelations about various royal family members, including Prince William and Queen Camilla.
According to The Telegraph, Tindall’s portrayal of royal life sharply contrasts with the narrative of Prince Harry and his wife, Meghan Markle.
Markle, who married Harry in 2018, has been outspoken about her challenges adjusting to royal life, particularly in her widely publicised 2021 interview with Oprah Winfrey.
By contrast, Tindall painted a far simpler picture of his own experience: “Believe it or not, marrying into the Royal Family was pretty easy for me. They were always nice to me, and I was always nice to them. Simple really.”
