Zara Tindall: ‘I was obviously very lucky that my mother didn’t give us any titles’

Mike and Zara Tindall sat down for a podcast interview this week, and it turned out to be a headline-generator. Yesterday, we talked about Mike’s nickname for Prince William – “One Pint Willy” – and what it could possibly mean that William is apparently a “bad drinker.” In the interview, Zara also discussed what it was like to grow up the daughter of Princess Anne, but without a title. Anne rejected titles for her children, which allowed them to make all kinds of business deals. Zara is a professional equestrian and she’s had lucrative sponsorships and brand deals for years.

Zara Tindall has revealed she’s ‘lucky’ that Princess Anne didn’t give her a royal title as she spoke candidly about her family in a new podcast. The mother-of-three and her husband Mike, who live in Princes Anne’s Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire, were interviewed by former rugby player Rob Burrow on his Total Sport podcast. During the discussion, Rob – who was diagnosed with motor neurone disease in 2019 – asked the couple what advice they would give to their seven-year-old selves.

Although she was originally daunted by the question, Zara went on to discuss her role in the Institution – and how happy she is that Princess Anne didn’t force her and her brother Peter to be working royals.

She explained: ‘From my point of view, I was obviously very lucky that my mother didn’t give us any titles so I really commend her on that. We were very lucky that we got to do it a bit our own way. My family has a great work ethic as well which I’m hoping they instilled in me and is still going to this day. Hopefully, we can pass it onto our kids. Now, my brother and my cousins love to go back and do the same things and I hope that our children have the same experiences that we did when we were growing up. You don’t really appreciate that until you’re older and you’ve got kids.’

[From The Daily Mail]

“My family has a great work ethic…” I mean, her mother has a great work ethic. Her uncle, the king, has a good work ethic. Not so much with her cousins. But at the end of the day, Anne really knew what she was doing by raising her kids as “normal” rather than royal. Zara and Peter get all of the perks of royalty – all of the big invitations, all of the attention that comes with being royal-adjacent – and they still get to make their own money and they’re not being manipulated by King Charles. Plus, now that QEII has passed, I get the feeling that Zara, Mike and Peter feel like “anything goes” with their money-making schemes. Mike seems especially desperate for any kind of paying gig.

Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.

Zara Tindall and her husband Mike Tindall arrive for the National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, on day two of the Platinum Jubilee celebrations for Queen Elizabeth II. The National Service marks The Queen’s 70 years of service to the people of the United Kingdom, the Realms and the Commonwealth. Public service is at the heart of the event and over 400 recipients of Honours in the New Year or Birthday Honours lists have been invited in recognition of their contribution to public life. Drawn from all four nations of the United Kingdom, they include NHS and key workers, teaching staff, public servants, and representatives from the Armed Forces, charities, social enterprises and voluntary groups.,Image: 696630234, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Kirsty O’Connor / Avalon

St Paul’s Cathedral, London, UK. 3 June 2022. The National Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral, part of Platinum Jubilee Celebrations for The Queen’s reign. Mike and Zara Tindall leave the service,Image: 696890269, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: MALCOLM PARK / Avalon

Zara and Mike Tindall leaving Sandringham Church after Christmas Day service,Image: 746498369, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Malcolm Clarke / Avalon

Mike Tindall and Zara Tindall arrive at the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in London, United Kingdom, on 06 May 2023.,Image: 774198099, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: -, Model Release: no, Credit line: Phil Harris / Avalon

Mike Tindall and Zara Tindall at the Coronation of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in London, United Kingdom, on 06 May 2023.,Image: 774203408, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: James Veysey/Shutterstock / Avalon

Savannah Phillips, Peter Phillips, Isla Phillips and Zara Tindall attend The “Together At Christmas” Carol Service at Westminster Abbey on December 08, 2023 in London, England. Spearheaded by The Princess of Wales, and supported by The Royal Foundation, the service is a moment to bring people together at Christmas time and recognise those who have gone above and beyond to help others throughout the year.,Image: 827900466, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: *** NO UK USE FOR 48 HRS ***, Model Release: no, Credit line: Chris Jackson / Avalon

`Zara Tindall seen at the December Races, Cheltenham Racecourse, Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, UK,Image: 830002167, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: , Model Release: no, Credit line: Jules Annan / Avalon

Royals head to Easter Mattins Service at St George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle. Featuring: Mike Tindall, Mia Tindall, Zara Tindall, Lena Tindall Where: Windsor, Berkshire, United Kingdom When: 09 Apr 2023 Credit: Yui Mok/PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**

Mike and Zara Tindall arriving ahead of the coronation ceremony of King Charles III and Queen Camilla at Westminster Abbey, central London. Featuring: Mike Tindall and Zara Tindall Where: London, United Kingdom When: 06 May 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**

Zara Tindall attending day two of Royal Ascot. Featuring: Zara Tindall Where: Ascot, United Kingdom When: 21 Jun 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**

Zara Tindall attending day two of Royal Ascot. Featuring: Zara Tindall Where: Ascot, United Kingdom When: 21 Jun 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**

Arrivals at Royal Ascot – Day 3. Featuring: Zara Tindall, Mike Tindall Where: Ascot, United Kingdom When: 22 Jun 2023 Credit: PA Images/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY**