Former England rugby star Mike Tindall has told how he was woken up by police officers in riot gear after being caught on CCTV “struggling to get to the doorway”

The ex-England rugby star was set to do a coaching clinic at 8.30am the next day(Image: Getty Images)

Rugby legend Mike Tindall has shared a hilarious story about how his wife Zara got revenge on him after a late night out.

Mike, who had a coaching clinic to attend the next morning, had been out with a friend and was struggling to get back to his mother-in-law Princess Anne’s flat at St James’ Palace, where he was staying.

Zara, determined to get him up and ready, enlisted the help of the palace police, who burst into the room in full riot gear, complete with machine guns, and ordered Mike to get moving. Mike said: “I was meant to be there in 45 minutes. My friend rings up Zara, who phoned the police post at the palace.

“They started giggling, saying they saw me at 4am on video cameras struggling to get to the doorway. She says, “I don’t care what you do. He needs to be in North London in 35 minutes.”

He continued: “Next thing, five guys in full riot gear with machine guns come in saying, “Get up, get up”. ‘I was, like, “F***!” And in three minutes, I was in the back of a cab, with the police waving me off.'”

Mike shared the amusing anecdote at a charity fundraiser for DEBRA, which supports those living with epidermolysis bullosa (EB), reports Gloucestershire Live.

Zara and Mike got married in July 2011 at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh. The reception was held at the Palace of Holyroodhouse and reportedly included a vodka fountain. Mike was reportedly met with a particular request from his mother-in-law, Princess Anne, about his appearance.

Mike made the revelation while speaking at a DEBRA fundraiser(Image: Getty Images)

The former rugby star had suffered numerous injuries over his career, resulting in a notably misshapen nose after breaking it at least eight times.

While on Sky’s A League of Their Own, he shared that Anne had suggested he get surgery before his wedding, an idea he initially turned down but later reconsidered. In a 2022 chat on Loose Women with Vernon Kay, Mike explained the real reason behind his decision to undergo surgery.

Vernon remarked: “Your nose was literally underneath your left eye from rugby. It wasn’t just for looks you had it done?” To which Mike responded: “No, I was stopping breathing during sleep, so it needed to be done. I also had my teeth done but that was because they were crossed and looked like a bag of chips.”

It was previously reported that Zara Tindall could possibly become William’s Princess Anne in a slimmed down monarchy when he eventually takes the throne.

Angela Mollard, a columnist for News Corp, speaking on Sky News Australia, said: “This commentary that’s happening is, ‘Is William making the right decisions around slimming it down?’

“I think he’s not, and to your point Louise (Roberts) earlier about that really close relationship between him and Zara, you’re absolutely right; they are the best of friends.”