Mike Tindall Declares He’d Pass on a Royal Title, Embracing Life Outside the Crown
Mike Tindall has no intention of accepting a royal title in the near future.
The former England rugby star, who is married to Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall, stated that he would decline any offer for a royal rank if it were presented to him.
In response to a question about the potential of receiving a royal title at a charity event, Mike told Closer Magazine, “I would certainly turn that down,” as reported by Hello! magazine.
He further remarked that becoming a part of the royal family was “easier than it could have been,” reiterating a sentiment he has previously conveyed.
At 46 years old, Mike joined the British royal family when he married professional equestrian Zara in July 2011, just months after Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding. However, he did not acquire a royal title. While Zara, 43, is a grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth and a niece of King Charles, Princess Anne decided against granting titles to her children prior to Zara’s birth.
The Princess Royal, 73, alongside her first spouse, Captain Mark Phillips, became parents with the birth of their son Peter Phillips in 1977. Anne broke with long-standing tradition by choosing not to grant her children royal titles or the styling of His/Her Royal Highness. Although Princess Anne’s children were not eligible for royal status at birth since titles could only be assigned to a sovereign’s grandchildren through sons, Queen Elizabeth extended a courtesy title to Anne’s offspring, which her daughter chose to forego.
Princess Anne and Captain Mark, who separated in 1992, made a similar choice during their marriage. He chose to refuse a title that was offered as a wedding gift from the Queen, and Princess Anne has since acknowledged that the decision to reject royal styling has proven to be the best decision for her children.
“I think it was probably easier for them, and I think most people would argue that there are drawbacks to having titles,” the Princess Royal shared with Vanity Fair in 2020. “So I think that was probably the right course of action.”
Zara has also expressed her contentment with the absence of a title, suggesting it has allowed for greater freedom in her life.
“From my perspective, I was very fortunate that my mother didn’t bestow any titles upon us, so I truly commend her for that,” Zara mentioned on the Seven: Rob Burrow podcast in December 2023. “We were very fortunate to navigate life in our own way.”
Zara, Mike, and their three children — Mia, 11, Lena, 6, and Lucas, 4 — are often seen at royal family gatherings. The co-host of The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast was spotted enjoying a moment with his daughter Mia and his niece Savannah Phillips during Christmas at Sandringham in December 2024, attending church with the royals on the holiday.
Mike’s recent remarks were made at a fundraiser for DEBRA, a charity based in the U.K. dedicated to supporting individuals living with and conducting research into epidermolysis bullosa (EB), a genetic disorder characterized by severe skin blistering.
A statement noted that he participated in an event in February for its BE the Difference for EB initiative, which raised over $64,000 for advancing research and enhancing treatment resources.
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