Mike Tindall Reveals Why Ascot with the Royal Family Can Be ‘a Bit of a Nightmare’
Mike Tindall's take on the royal pageantry was surprisingly relatable.
While the Royal Ascot event appears effortlessly glamorous from the outside, Mike Tindall has recently revealed that the reality behind the scenes is a lot different. It's not all about glam, especially when summer heat is involved. As he got candid about his experiences of attending the most noted annual royal event, Zara Tindall’s husband admitted that the carriage procession can be “a bit of a nightmare” when temperatures are high, and his take on the royal pageantry was surprisingly relatable.
Appearing on The Luxury Dispatch podcast with Tom Chamberlin, Tindall reflected on the tradition and spectacle that make Royal Ascot one of a kind. Despite joking about the sweaty conditions, the former England rugby star emphasized the significance of the event’s ceremonial history. “That British history. That is the history that we are trying to continue. The royal procession down the course. It’s still a standalone feature of what happens at Royal Ascot.” He went on to describe the carefully curated and heavily choreographed journey royals and guests take before entering the racecourse in the famous horse-drawn landaus.
Tindall went on to explain that the day begins with riding in official vehicles before getting seated for the carriage procession itself. “You jump in cars. The fleet of cars that they use is very old, historical, good old-fashioned sort of cars,” he shared. He later clarified that they were ‘state cars’ used to transport guests toward the Great Park ahead of the final carriage stage. According to Tindall, the carriage ride lasts about 20 minutes, as it takes participants through crowds of cheering spectators and schoolchildren waving Union flags along the route.
However, during the entire podcast, it was the less glamorous details of the royal outing that caught the most attention. When the host asked about the traditional wicker-sided landaus used during the procession, Tindall laughed while recalling just how uneasy things can become in warm weather. “You go past, I don’t know how many schools you go past, it seems to be a load,” he said. “They always let the children out and wave their British flags, and I’m thinking, that’s great.” But he quickly chimed in, “If it’s too hot, it’s a bit of a nightmare. The sweat!” Laughing further, Tindall also added, “Don’t take the hat off, there’s this, like, pool of water drops out.”
But at last, Tindall admitted the final moments of the procession still feel deeply special despite the discomfort. While talking a little more about the arrival at the racecourse, he said, “When you come into the stadium, and the anthem starts, it’s quite special.” Tindall has become a familiar face at Royal Ascot over the years. He has never failed to regularly attend alongside his wife, Zara, and other senior members of the royal family. Be it joking with Queen Elizabeth II during the 2019 event or joining the royal procession alongside Peter Phillips and Harriet Sperling last year, he has gradually become one of the monarchy’s most down-to-earth and highly relatable voices, especially when talking about sweating through royal tradition.
