Mike Tindall has offered a candid insight into his marriage to Zara Tindall, admitting that even their relationship has its share of challenging moments.
The former England rugby international, who married Princess Anne’s daughter in 2011, spoke about how the couple navigate disagreements and the importance of understanding one another.
During an appearance on the Talk Horse podcast, Mike explained that some aspects of family life came naturally to the pair, while other situations could prove more complicated.
“I think it’s very easy when it’s around sport or whether it’s around the animals and the kids, but obviously other nuances become more difficult,” he said.
Mike, 47, acknowledged that neither he nor Zara tended to seek out confrontation, although he recognised that avoiding difficult conversations was not always the best approach.
“I think neither of us necessarily chase out confrontation until it happens. That’s sometimes not the best way of doing it,” he explained.
However, he suggested that their ability to communicate when problems arose had helped them work through difficult situations.
“But then when it happens, I think we’re probably pretty good at actually talking about it. You’ve just got to try and muddle your way through. It’s never easy, is it?” he added.
Mike also joked that he was sometimes responsible for provoking his wife, admitting that he could occasionally wind her up simply for the sake of it.
The Tindalls share a passion for sport and horses, with Zara having established herself as an accomplished equestrian. Mike said their shared sporting backgrounds had helped them understand each other’s needs and pressures.
He revealed that he tries to strike a balance between giving Zara the space she needs to concentrate and helping her relax before competitions.
Zara requires considerable focus ahead of cross-country events, Mike explained, but he also believes humour has its place.
He said he sometimes tries to make her laugh as a reminder not to take everything too seriously.
His approach after a competition depends on how things have gone, with Mike explaining that understanding the situation is important when deciding how best to respond.
Mike suggested that knowing when to offer encouragement, when to joke and when to give Zara space was part of what made their relationship work.
He also spoke about the demands Zara faces as a mother of three while continuing to compete at an elite level.
The couple are parents to Mia, 12, Lena, eight, and Lucas, five.
He reflected on how becoming parents can change the pressures surrounding a sporting career, explaining that he had retired from professional rugby around the time their eldest daughter arrived.
That meant he had not experienced the same challenge of trying to maintain a professional sporting career while raising their children.
Mike recognised that Zara could experience feelings of guilt when balancing her responsibilities as a mother with her equestrian ambitions.
“You’ve got to try and play a support role at the same time because mums do have mother’s guilt. It’s a thing,” he said.
Mike and Zara married in July 2011, following their first meeting in Australia in 2003. Their relationship has since combined family life with their shared interests in sport and horses.
