It all worked out in the end…

The father of Mike Tindall once revealed that the rugby star’s grandmother was “dead against” his marriage to Zara Tindall.

Zara, 44, and Mike, 46, tied the knot on July 30, 2011, with a lavish ceremony in Edinburgh, attended by 400 guests, including the royal family.

Zara and Mike have been married for 14 years (Credit: Cover Images)

Grandmother of Mike Tindall was ‘dead against’ his marriage to Zara

Zara and Mike first met during the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Their engagement was announced by Buckingham Palace in 2010, and they were wed in 2011.

Their wedding ceremony was held in Edinburgh, with over 400 guests in attendance, including the royals. They have since gone on to have three children together.

In her day, royalty married royalty, and she thought the wedding would be shunned.

However, according to Mike’s father, his grandmother was “dead against” his marriage to Queen Elizabeth II’s eldest granddaughter.

Mike’s dad, Phillip, made the admission in an interview with The Sunday Times back in 2020.

“Linda’s mum [Mike’s grandmother] was dead against it. In her day, royalty married royalty, and she thought the wedding would be shunned. But right from the start, the whole family was just lovely,” he said.

Unfortunately, Mike’s grandmother never got to meet Zara. “I know she’d have loved her as much as we do because she and Mike are perfect for each other,” Mike’s dad said.
Mike and Zara tied the knot in July 2011 (Credit: Photo by Shutterstock)

Mike Tindall on Zara ‘punishing’ herself when away from the kids

On some occasions, Mike and Zara have opened up about their personal lives.

Mike previously revealed that Zara “punishes” herself when she has to be away from their three children, Mia, Lena, and Lucas.

Mike made the admission during an interview with HELLO! magazine in March 2023.

“Her passion, her compassion, her dedication, I think they are the foundations of any great mother, it’s just born in,” he said.

” She punishes herself for going to work because she doesn’t want to leave them. I take my hat off to all women out there,” he added.

Mike then went on to brand Zara a “great mother”.

Are Mike and Zara Tindall working royals?

No, Mike and Zara are not working royals. Although, they attend some royal events.

According to a former royal butler, the couple may not pick up royal duties in the future.

Speaking to Prime Casino, former royal butler Grant Harrold said: “I don’t think we’ll see Zara and Mike pick up any more royal duties. They’re not currently working royals – of course, we see them at events and supporting the king, we always will, but as for increasing their presence, I don’t think they will.

“I don’t think Mike is into that. The fact that we see them more informally is what I think makes them so likeable, Zara and Mike are relatable.”

He added: “If anything, the king is trying to scale back, so I don’t think there would be any need for them to pick up more duties; however, when William is king and there is a younger royal family, who knows? That could be a different story.”