Zara Tindall was born into one of the world’s most prolific, elite families, but if you didn’t know her by name, you’d barely guess that was the case.
There’s no mistaking the daughter of Princess Anne, the Queen’s second eldest child.
She’s grown up in the spotlight as her famous family continue to draw eyeballs the world over no matter which way they move.
But her life, for the most part, has been a little different to her closest relatives, in that she’s forged her own path outside of the regal fold.
As an Olympic equestrian with a little flair and sass (well, as sassy as a royal can get), Zara, now 41 years old, has made a name for herself, by herself, and we can’t help but love her even more for it.
The lovable royal couple are a surprisingly relatable pair.
(Credit: (Image: Getty))After marrying Mike Tindall in 2011, not long after Wills and Kate’s global spectacle, the royal and her former rugby player husband have built a family life not unlike the rest of us.
Once he became part of the royal family, Mike felt instantly welcomed, telling The Telegraph in July 2022: “I can only say how kind they’ve been to me, and how welcoming they’ve been to me since joining the family. And how they’ve made my family welcome.
“I’ve always felt part of it and I think that’s down to what an amazing woman the Queen is. They’re a fantastic family.
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And the family has only grown after Zara and Mike welcomed their first daughter Mia Grace in 2014, their second daughter Lena Elizabeth in 2018, and their first son Lucas in 2021.
In March 2021, Mike spoke about Lucas’ birth on his podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby.
“Arrived very quickly. Didn’t make it to hospital. On the bathroom floor,” he told his stunned fellow hosts.
WATCH: Mike Tindall’s daughter Lena hilariously interrupts his podcast. Story continues after video.
He continued: “So yeah, it was running to the gym, get a mat, get into the bathroom, get the mat on the floor, towels down, brace, brace, brace!”
“Fortunately the midwife who was going to meet us at the hospital wasn’t that far away so she drove up just as we had assumed the position and the second midwife arrived just after the head had arrived.”
If that wasn’t enough to prove they’re the most down-to-earth royals, let’s take a look at Zara and Mike’s blissful family life
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Married on July 31 in 2011, Zara and Mike embarked on a brand new chapter as husband and wife – and all the relatable moments in-between have had us hooked ever since.
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Family is everything – especially in the Tindalls’ world. Zara and Mike joined Prince Harry to support the Invictus Games in 2014 – the event was founded by the red headed royal himself.
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Dad Mike looked well chuffed to be greeted by his two biggest cheerleaders after completeing the Artemis Great Kindrochit Quadrathlon in Scotland back in 2015.
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Duchess Catherine and Zara go way back – and their relationship has been made all the more special as they tackle parenthood together. They were pictured together at a charity polo match in 2015.
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Mia and her Dad were all eyes and ears at the Badminton Horse Trials in 2016.
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Who didn’t play this game with their parents and grandparents back in the day? Mia goes in for the swing as Zara and grandma Princess Anne hold tight during a fete.
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Pucker up! Doting grandmother Princess Anne shares a precious moment with Mia, six.
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We’re sure the formidable Princess Anne keeps Mia in check at the best of times, no doubt she would have been tucked into a seatbelt quickly here!
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Earlier in the year, Princess Anne told Vanity Fair she hasn’t had her granddaughters over for a sleepover yet, citing the fact “they have so many friends in the area,” but she loves letting them ride on her horses and playing outside with them.
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Family fun at the polo is the name of the game for the royal family. Prince William gets a quick cuddle from his second cousin Mia mid-match in 2017.
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Gang’s all here! Older cousins Isla and Savannah Phillips hold their baby cousin Lena’s hands at the 2019 Festival of British Eventing at Gatcombe Park.
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Heavily pregnant Zara and husband Mike shared a laugh at Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan’s wedding back in 2018 – if only we knew what the joke was…
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The family of four are relatable as ever – and we couldn’t love them for it more.
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If Prince William wore this, he’d be the talk of the town, but as for down-to-earth Mike? No one batted an eyelid at these, er, loud trousers. Quite the ensemble for a day out golfing…
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Lena saw things in a new light (and height!) as she hopped on Zara’s shoulders during an eventing festival in 2019.
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Little Lena was alert as ever with the helping hand of Mum at another fete event that same year.
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For the annual pre-Christmas lunch with the Queen, the Tindall family were ready for action as they pulled into Buckingham Palace – little Lena included. Wonder if she pulls the old ‘fall asleep in the car so Mum and Dad can carry you to bed’ trick?
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Seeing double: Little Lena, two, looks so much like her dad.
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Mike Tindall shared a rare snap of himself and Zara to Instagram in May 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. He elaborated in the caption: “Thank you to everyone working in the @nhs @kindred_social is raising money for the NHS through these t-shirts. If you would like one please go to www.bekindbekindred.com thanks #clapforourcarers #clapfornhs”
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And baby makes five! In December Mike Tindall revealed he and wife Zara were expecting their third child together – and he wanted it to be a boy.
“I’d like a boy this time, I’ve got two girls, I would like a boy. I’ll love it whether a boy or a girl – but please be a boy,” he said on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast.
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And almost as though he manifested it, Mike got his wish – Zara welcomed a son Lucas Philip Tindall on March 21, 2021.
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Following Prince Philip’s sad death in April 2021, Mike shared this touching family photo Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge snapped of Mia Tindall with her great-grandfather before he passed.
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The proud mum and dad made the most of a kid-free day out at the end of 2022, even snapping a selfie together.
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In 2022 Mia was looking all grown up as she clung to her dad at a soccer event, before racing off to play. We can decide if she looks more like her mum or dad!
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Mike and Zara also made time for a kid-free outing in early 2022, heading to Cheltenham Festival in March.
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Naturally, Mike had to snap a selfie with his wife for the occasion.
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Mia accompanied her parents to a memorial for Prince Philip in 2022, looking smart in a military-style coat dress as she walked hand-in-hand with them,
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Royal fans got their first glimpse of Lucas as the Tindalls headed to the Burnham Market International Horse Trials in April 2022. Doesn’t he look like his dad?
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Mike was photographed keeping a close eye on his son while mum Zara competed in the equestrian events.
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Mike was in dad-mode, acting as a human jungle gym for his two daughters as they watched from the sidelines.
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They also made the most of some family-friendly rides together.
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Zara cuddled up to her son in this adorable photo after her events.
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But she had to do a bit of wrangling with her eldest!
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The Tindalls had Mia join them once again for a royal outing in April, this time for Easter church service with the extended royal family.
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The Tindall family chatted happily with the Cambridges during the Platinum Pageant in 2022, with Mia and Prince Louis being particularly friendly throughout the celebrations.
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Mike and Zara were spotted kid free as they attended King Charles’ coronation on May 6, 2023.
