Home / Royals
Mike Tindall spills the truth about marrying into Royal family
Zara Tindall's husband Mike Tindall shares insight into the life with Royal family
In his recently published works, former England rugby star Mike Tindall has painted an unvarnished picture of the dual nature of the experiences of integrating with the British Royal family, the comforts and the unexpected requirements of that transition.
In The Good, the Bad & the Rugby – Unleashed, he writes, “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.”
He married Zara Tindall (née Phillips), daughter of Princess Anne, in 2011 — becoming part of the royal circle while remaining outside the formal “working-royal” duties.
According to Tindall, the shared interests and informal relationships, rather than protocol, enabled his seamless integration. He remarked on how the royal family ‘loves sport’ and the family’s inclusive attitude was also beneficial.
Nevertheless, the former rugby international does not give the impression of complete ease. Speaking on the ITV series Grand Slammers, he acknowledged
As per GB News, he stated that: “Everyone thinks that just by marrying Zara that means it’s all fine and dandy, but that doesn’t stop the fact that you need a job. And it’s not that easy, you know.”
Here he points to the challenge of forging a new identity after leaving sport and stepping into a family where expectations and visibility are elevated.
According to People, on the topic of titles, Tindall was unequivocal: when asked if he would ever accept a royal title if offered, he responded: “I would definitely turn that down.”
He explained his preference to operate outside the strict bounds of the monarchy’s formal structure, describing the life of working royals as “all-consuming; you don’t have your own time or your own space.”
Tindall’s reflections come at a time when public interest in the inner workings of the British monarchy remains high.
By combining candour, humour and self-awareness, he offers a rare and relatable glimpse into life on the periphery of royalty — one shaped by relationships, sport and normalcy rather than ceremony alone.