Mike Tindall reveals what it’s like to be in the Royal Family in new book: 'They were always nice to me'

Before becoming a member of the Royal Family, Mike Tindall was a rugby player and received 75 caps for England. He was also part of the team for the 2003 World Cup.

Mike and Zara, King Charles’ niece, met in 2003 whenhe was in Australia for the World Cup while Zara was on a gap year with friends. The former rugby player has talked about his relationship when he starred in I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here in 2023.

They had met in a bar after Mike had been dropped from the semi-final. He had said in an interview in June 2011 that they hadn’t spoken much. The two had exchanged phone numbers and texted the following day, and the rest was history.

Mike and Zara wed in a small ceremony in Scotland in 2011 and have since welcomed three children, Mia Grace, Lena Elizabeth, and Lucas Philip.

Mike Tindall shares what life is like in the Royal Family

As mentioned above, Mike Tindall has talked about life within the Royal Family while on I’m a Celeb, however, this time, the former rugby player is going one step further by publishing a book with fellow England players.

In his new book, co-authored by himself, James Haskell and Alex Payne, The Good, the Bad & the Rugby – Unleashed, Mike shares the behind-the-scenes in The Firm.

The father-of-three revealed that life with the royals is nothing like Downton Abbey and everyone isn’t always dressed in their ‘finery every night’.

As per Daily Mail, Mike explains in his book that he and Zara used to watch the racing on television with the late Queen Elizabeth.

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 also revealed that the family often had picnics when up in Scotland and it was ‘relaxed’. He then specifically talks about a moment between his eldest daughter, Mia and the late Prince Philip. It was captured by Princess Kate.

Lunches were also relaxed, especially up in Scotland, where lunch would often be heading out into the open space of the Scottish Highlands for a picnic.

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.

Mike Tindall's experience was different to Meghan Markle

Mike Tindall’s book was published on October 24, 2024, the same day as Prince Harry’s paperback version of his memoir Spare, meaning that the cousins-in-laws are now competing for best sales.

In his book, he talks about what it was like entering The Firm after marrying Zara in 2011. He claims it was ‘pretty easy’ for him, which is contrary to the way Meghan detailed entering the family.

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.

This has been perceived by several media as him taking a dig at Meghan Markle.

Tindall’s book with his fellow rugby mates is a follow on from their highly popular podcast The Good, the Bad & the Rugby and will go into further detail on several aspects of their lives.

Read more:

Kate Middleton's sweet nickname by Mike Tindall will prove how sporty she is

Prince Harry: Angela Levin claims the royal could be replaced by Mike Tindall at the Invictus Games

Prince Harry makes surprise appearance on Jimmy Fallon's Tonight Show

Sources used:

Daily Mail: ‘Mike Tindall reveals what the royals are really like in private and why it's 'nothing like Downton Abbey'

Us Weekly: ‘Zara Phillips and Husband Mike Tindall’s Relationship Timeline Through the Years: See Photos’

Wales Online: ‘Mike Tindall clashes with Prince Harry in shops after Meghan Markle dig’

Harper Collins: ‘The Good, the Bad & the Rugby – Unleashed’