Home / Latest News / Mike Tindall

'Junior' Royal Realness: Zara and Mike Tindall Show Their True Selves Like Prince William and Kate Middleton

Mike and Zara Tindall have been praised as 'real' royals like Prince William and Kate Middleton, and unlike the 'awkwardly' inauthentic Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

meghan markle
Zara and Mike Tindall have frequently been compared to both Prince William and Kate Middleton and Prince Harry and Meghan Markle. Source: MEGA

Mike and Zara Tindall were praised for their "realness" as junior royals and their unpretentious way of not "hiding anything" about themselves and their lives.

"That realness is also with William and Kate," former butler to Diana, Princess of Wales, Paul Burrell, dished on behalf of Slingo. "I don't think there's anything they're hiding. I don't think there's anything false about them."

mike tindall

"I think what you see is what you get, whereas Harry and Meghan, you just don't know what to believe," he added. "That's the difference between the two camps."

Burrell continued: "Mike Tindall has done incredibly well to step over that line into a royal world and yet keep one foot in the real world. He must have a very balanced mind to cope with both entities, because as we know, those incoming into the family have suffered in the past, and they've not always done well."

Mike and Zara married in 2011 and would go on to have three children together, daughters Mia and Lena, and son Lucas. Zara and her three children are 21st-24th in line to the British throne, even though none of them are recognized as official British royals and do not represent the Crown in any capacity.

Zara is the second grandchild of the late Queen Elizabeth II as the second child of Anne, Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips. The hardworking only daughter of the late Queen turned down her mother's offer to make Zara and her older brother, Peter, a Lady and peer of the realm, respectively.

mike tindall

"But Mike, coming from a sports background, has done incredibly well, he must just be a very nice guy," Burrell further observed. "I've never met him, but he certainly seemed that way when he appeared on I'm A Celebrity. He seemed to be a very grounded, down-to-earth guy, but then that would be the guy that Zara would go for."

The ex-aide then revealed: "She wouldn't go for an old Etonian, she'd want somebody who lived in the real world. Mike brings his realness to that equation and he's a great asset to Zara and his family. They're very happy. They just call it as it is, and I think that's the way forward."

zara tindall

Mike and Zara may not work to officially represent the British monarchy, but their career ventures have made them stars with the British public. Zara is also well-known for being an Olympic silver medalist, which she collected for her equestrian skills during the 2012 Summer Olympics in London.

In opinion polls, the junior royal pair consistently rank several places higher than preferences praising the Duke and Duchess of Sussex.

mike tindall

Powered by RedCircle

GET BREAKING ROYAL NEWS
STRAIGHT TO YOUR INBOX.

More Stories

A UK barrister has a warning for the royals suggesting that the bedrock of British culture is under a strain that it may never truly recover. 
By Sakshi Singh · FEB 19, 2026
A new account suggests the two sisters-in-law competed fiercely for press attention and public approval.
By Abha Anindita · FEB 7, 2026
The Grammy-nominated artist discussed Harry and Meghan on a podcast, and shared what she thought about the estrangement.
By Abha Anindita · FEB 5, 2026
Meghan has already started to tease what appears to be a carefully thought-out Valentine's Day rollout tied to love, gifting, and slow mornings at home.
By Madhurima · JAN 28, 2026
Although Prince Harry's private security team identified her immediately, they found themselves in a legal stalemate.
By Sakshi Singh · JAN 26, 2026
Harry named 10 associates he was in regular contact with during the relevant period, including his brother, sister-in-law, and ex, Chelsy Davy.
By Medha Sengupta · JAN 22, 2026
The Duke of Sussex entered the Gothic Victorian court building around 10 AM.
By Abha Anindita · JAN 19, 2026
This time around, the palace appears unwilling to loosen its purse strings beyond what is necessary.
By Medha Sengupta · JAN 17, 2026
Insiders say the couple took on total risk with no investors involved.
By Abha Anindita · JAN 16, 2026
Sources say the silence was deliberate — but the Princess of Wales is choosing calm
By Abha Anindita · JAN 13, 2026