ROYAL ROMANCE
How did Zara Tindall meet Mike? Full relationship timeline
Plus what Mike has said about the 'best day' of his life
AS a member of the Royal Family, Zara Tindall's life has always been in the spotlight.
Over the years, her relationship with Mike Tindall has caught the attention of the world, and the pair are considered to be the most relatable royal couple.
12
Zara Anne Elizabeth Phillips was born in London on May 15, 1981.
Her parents are Princess Anne and her first husband Captain Mark Phillips.
Zara also has an older brother Peter Phillips.
Zara's first cousins are Prince William and Prince Harry and she is godmother to William’s son Prince George.
But over the years, it has been her romance with her husband Mike Tindall that has really captivated the nation.
Here we take you through the highlights of their relationship - from when they met up until now.
2003 - Zara and Mike meet
12
The sports-loving pair met during England's Rugby World Cup-winning campaign in Australia in 2003.
They were introduced to each other in a bar in Sydney by Zara’s cousin Prince Harry.
Mike was feeling down that day, as he had been dropped from the England squad for the big final which would see them clinch the trophy.
Reflecting on their first meeting, the rugby hero admitted that his emotions from being dropped had clouded the day for him.
READ MORE ON THE ROYAL FAMILY
Speaking to , Mike said: "When we met, I basically only said hell.
"I didn't really even talk to her because I was, as I said, I was still quite down."
Mike Tindall leaves I’m a celebrity get me out of here to meet his princess Zara Phillips
However, keen to make up for his mood Mike then took Zara for a "boozy lunch".
He said: "Our first actual date, just went out for lunch locally.
"And ended up being quite a boozy one.
"Then we figured out that we both quite like getting smashed. It was a good start."
During his time in the I'm a Celebrity jungle, Mike opened up about dating Zara.
He revealed that the pair were friends before they started seeing each other.
He told fellow campmate Owen Warner: "We were friends first and then William and Harry were massive England fans at the time, so we’d met them numerous times.
"Met more of the family than you'd normally have met of the woman you start dating."
2004 - The couple go official
12
By 2004, the besotted couple became "official" and Mike was often spotted appearing at public events with the royal.
Zara took their relationship to the next level when she invited her new man to join her at the North Cotswold Ball.
2008 - Mike gets on well with mum
12
In 2008, Mike called Princess Anne "a legend" and said Zara's dad, Mark Phillips, was "lovely too".
He said: "My mates in Wakefield are forever asking how I fit in among the Royal Family but they are really down to earth."
2010 - The couple get engaged
12
Mike proposed to Princess Anne's daughter in December 2010 after five years of dating.
Speaking to HELLO! the rugby player said: "I don't think it is about whether we will get married but when."
He went on: "I was upstairs, plucking up the nerve to do it, while Zara was downstairs watching television.
"It was all about shock value — I wanted to catch her when it was quiet, and she wasn't expecting anything."
12
The couple were at home, when he walked in and got down on one knee.
Mike said: "She was in complete shock.
"Then, when she stopped laughing, she said 'yes'.
"That was a relief."
At the time, Buckingham Palace released a statement: "The Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips are pleased to announce the engagement of their daughter Zara Phillips to Mr. Mike Tindall, son of Mr. Phillip and Mrs. Linda Tindall."
2011 - Wedding day bliss
12
Queen Elizabeth II gave her consent for the pair to get married, in front of a Privy Council in May 2011.
The pair then wed two months later on July 30, 2011 in Edinburgh.
Zara and Mike had more than 400 guests at their special day, including several members of the Royal Family.
The happy couple went on to hold their wedding reception at the Queen's official Scottish residence, Holyrood Palace.
2014 - Zara and Mike welcome their first child
12
The couple welcomed Mia Grace on January 17, 2014. Buckingham Palace released a statement, which read: "Mrs Michael Tindall today safely delivered a baby girl at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital.
"Mr Tindall was present at the birth.
"The weight of the baby was 7lbs 12oz.
"The Queen, The Duke of Edinburgh, The Princess Royal, Captain Mark Phillips and Mike's parents, Mr Philip and Mrs Linda Tindall, have been informed and are delighted with the news."
The new dad posted Twitter/X: "Thanks so much for all your kind messages.
"Definitely the best day of my life today, so happy! The girls are both doing great!"
2018 - Baby No.2 arrives
12
Four years later, on June 18, 2018, it was announced that the couple had their second daughter, Lena Elizabeth.
The baby broke royal records when she was born, weighing an impressive 9lbs 3oz.
Her name, Lena Elizabeth, was announced via a representative, revealing that Lena "was just a name they liked", but Elizabeth was a clear reference to Queen Elizabeth II, with whom Zara shared a close bond.
2021 - The couple welcome their first son
12
The couple's only baby boy was born on March 21, 2021.
On The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast, Mike revealed that his wife gave birth to their son Lucas on their bathroom floor. The couple's spokesperson also confirmed the happy news and revealed the baby is called Lucas Philip Tindall - in a touching nod to Prince Philip.
2022 - Zara supports Mike as he goes on I'm A Celebrity
12
In a move that shocked royal watchers around the world, Mike revealed he had signed up to I'm A Celebrity.
The rugby hero went down a storm in the jungle, and came in fourth place.
When he left the show, who ran in for a hug.
Before heading into the jungle, Mike revealed he did have discussions with the Royal Family about being on I'm A Celebrity.
Speaking to the press, he said: "We did, well, I had a few conversations, but they're between me and them."
2024 - Happy family
12
The lowkey royals continue to enjoy family life, and are often spotted together at sporting events.
In May 2024, the whole family came out to support Zara as she took part in the Badminton Horse Trials.
Mia and Lena are also already sporty like their parents.
Speaking in February 2023, Mike told : "Both Mia and Lena go to Minchinhampton rugby club on a Sunday and they are only nine and four so we've got to give them a bit of time before the pressure comes on but they love all sports and they play rugby as well."
Who is Zara Tindall's mum, Princess Anne?
The late Queen had four children - King Charles, Princess Anne, Prince Andrew and Prince Edward.
Anne Elizabeth Alice Louise was born on August 15, 1950 and has the title of Princess Royal.
She married Captain Mark Phillips in 1973 but they divorced in 1992.
The couple had two children - Zara Tindall, née Phillips, and Peter Phillips.
Anne married a second time in 1992 to Timothy Laurence.
She is known for being the busiest member of the Royal Family in regards to official engagements.
Has Zara competed in the Olympics?
Like both of her parents, Zara is an accomplished equestrian and won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics, which was awarded to her by her mother.
She was selected to compete for the British Team at the FEI Nations Cup in Paris in August 2020.
Zara also has her own range of equestrian clothing for Musto Outdoor Clothing called ZP176 after the team number she was given when she first represented the UK, and she launched it in July 2010.
Zara supports many charitable causes and is patron of The Catwalk Trust which raise funds to support spinal cord injury research.
She also appears at events for The Caudwell Charitable Trust, which is targeted at children with special needs, disabilities and serious illnesses and took part in an Equestrian Relief initiative to raise money to support the NHS in 2020.
More on Zara Tindall
Princess Anne turned down the Queen’s offer of giving Zara a royal title after she was born, and equestrian-loving Zara said she felt “lucky” the decision was made.
Zara went to Beaudesert Park School in Stroud, Gloucestershire, Port Regis School in Dorset and then at Gordonstoun School in Moray, Scotland.
She qualified as a physiotherapist at Exeter University.
Zara is also an accomplished equestrian and Olympic silver medallist.
In 2006 she won BBC Sports Personality of the Year.
Topics