Mike Tindall has revealed that he and his wife Zara Tindall's children have a nightly routine that could well lead to a "broken leg one day". As a former professional rugby player with 75 caps for England, Mike clearly isn't afraid of competition - or the rough-and-tumble of the game - and he seems keen to instil this mindset in the couple's children, Mia, Lena and Lucas.
Competitive streak runs in the family
It's a similar story for his wife, Zara, who won a silver medal in equestrian eventing at the London Olympics in 2012. Her Olympic efforts follow those of her parents, Captain Mark Phillips and Princess Anne.
It appears that the competitive streak has rubbed off on their three kids. Speaking at the Henley Literature Festival, Mike admitted that even when they're just racing to bed, there will still be "ankle taps".
In quotes obtained by The Mail on Sunday, Mike said: "Even if it's just a race upstairs to bed, there will be ankle taps. It might lead to a broken leg one day, but they will learn. Hopefully, the children will turn out like us.
"And if they are as competitive as their mother, then we are all f****d!"
Zara's revenge story
Zara and Mike, who tied the knot in July 2011 at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, are well-known for their fun-loving approach to life. In March 2025, a hilarious story emerged about how Zara got revenge on her husband after a late night out.
Mike had been out for a night on the tiles with a mate and was struggling to find his way back to Princess Anne's flat at St James' Palace, where he was staying at the time. Unfortunately for him, he had a coaching clinic the next morning.
Zara decided she'd lend him a hand to ensure he got up in time, enlisting the help of the palace police. They entered his room in full riot gear, brandishing machine guns.
Mike said at a charity fundraiser for DEBRA: "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'."
Tribute to Mike's father
It comes after the sad news that Mike's father, Phil (former captain of Otley Rugby Club), has died aged 79 after a "brutal" 23-year battle with Parkinson’s disease. Mike spoke about his dad's passing on The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast.
"Unfortunately, my dad passed away last week. Big shout-out to Otley Rugby Club. They played Chester on the weekend, and they did a minute’s silence to my dad, who was captain in ’72, ’73.
"That little moment, I got to watch it. Someone recorded it, sent it to me, and then they wrote a little thing in the programme as well, which I read. But thank you very much to Otley Rugby Club for it."
