The King’s niece Zara Tindall and her former rugby player husband Mike have been speaking out about their long marriage and their secret to its longevity
Zara and Mike Tindall have admitted the ‘challenge’ in their marriage and revealed the secret to it’s longevity. The King’s niece and former rugby player Mike met more than 21 years ago, tied the knot in 2011 and are now the parents to three children – Mia, Lena and Lucas.
Although not working royals, Zara, the daughter of Princess Anne, and her husband are often at high-profile events and are known for their affectionate and light-hearted attitude. But speaking during a glamorous appearance at the Beauty Awards, Zara revealed that their secret to a happy marriage is to “accept that nothing runs smoothly ever.”
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She told the Daily Mail: “We’ve been together for 21 years. Nothing runs smoothly ever. You’ve got to accept that in life. It’s a work-in-progress [but] you’ve got to have fun.”
While Mike added that “kids are the biggest challenge that ever comes your way” during a marriage. He said: “Having three of them, everyone is doing different things.”
It comes amid a busy week of glamorous events for the Tindalls, who last night also attended the Tusk Conservation Awards honouring workers safeguarding Africa’s habitat and animals.
The couple were there alongside Zara’s cousin Prince William, who, in a speech to guests, warned this generation must not stand by while “wildlife and biodiversity disappears”.
Earlier this year, Zara and Mike marked 14 years of marriage after tying the knot in July 2011, just months after Zara’s close cousin Prince William wed his wife Kate.
Since that day, the couple has seen highs with the births of their children Mia, 11, Lena, seven, and four-year-old Lucas, as well as weathering the heartbreak of miscarriage.
But despite the trials and tribulations, 14 years on, the couple has stood the test of time – putting in cosy, loved-up appearances at the likes of Royal Ascot and Wimbledon, as well as being seen letting their hair down at parties with celebrity pals and at music festivals.
And former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond previously told the Mirror the secret to their strong marriage. She explained: “I think Mike and Zara have everything going for them; they are clearly still madly in love, they don’t take themselves or life too seriously, and they know how to have a whole load of fun.
“Probably more important than any of that, they are really good friends. And that’s really how it started, 22 years ago. They met in Australia, bonded over a love of sport – and went out for a boozy lunch. ‘We realised we both like to get smashed’, Mike later said!
“It didn’t hurt that Zara was, and remains, an extremely beautiful woman, and Mike has the rugged looks of an international rugby star. They are both huge favourites in the royal family, lighting up any occasion with their vivacious good humour.”
But despite the interviews and their successful careers, they have steered clear of any royal controversy. And Jennie added: “Somehow, possibly thanks to the fact that neither has a title or is a working royal, they have both managed to combine commercial careers with being part of the royal family and attending formal occasions.
“Sometimes Mike has given a bit more away than expected, for example, his boxer shorts ‘nibble my nuts’ moment with his mother-in-law, but somehow, he can get away with it.
“And that’s because he seems to be a thoroughly decent bloke, not over-awed by being part of the royal family, and yet respectful of all they represent.”
