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Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s move to California sparked a royal furor in January 2020 that is still going on.
But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex are not the first royal couple to consider leaving the UK, as Harry’s cousin Zara Tindall (née Phillips) revealed in 2019 that she was thinking of moving her family to Australia.
Princess Anne’s daughter, 41, and her husband, former rugby player Mike Tindall, 44, already spend a few months a year in Australia, often speaking of their love for the country.
Harry and Meghan aren’t the first royal couple to consider leaving the UK, as Harry’s cousin Zara Tindall revealed in 2019 that she and her husband Mike were thinking of moving their family to Australia. (The Tindalls are shown in Byron Bay, NSW, earlier this week)
Princess Anne’s daughter, 41, and her husband, a former rugby player, 44, already spend a few months a year in Australia, often speaking of their love for the country. (The couple appears in Gold Coast, Queensland, on January 10)
The Tindalls, who are parents to daughters Mia Grace, eight, and Lena Elizabeth, four, and son Lucas Philip, one, have made no secret of their love affair with Australia.
They first met at the Wharf Bar in Manly, Sydney, when Mike was drowning his sorrows after being knocked out of the England squad during the 2003 World Cup before the semi-finals.
Zara, who was on sabbatical at the time, was introduced at the opening by Prince Harry, who was in Australia to cheer on the England team.
Since getting married in 2011, the couple have visited Australia almost every year, only taking a break between 2020 and 2021 during the Covid-19 lockdowns.
speaking to The Australian Women’s Weekly In December 2019, a month before Harry and Meghan were due to step down from their royal duties, Zara revealed that she was considering trading life on her mother’s estate in Gloucestershire for sunny Australia.
Non-royal and untitled, the couple (pictured in Surfers Paradise in 2019) keep a relatively low profile despite their status as professional athletes.
The Tindalls, who are parents to daughters Mia Grace, eight, and Lena Elizabeth, four, and son Lucas Philip, one, have made no secret of their love affair with Australia. (They are pictured enjoying a drink on their most recent trip Down Under)
Zara, an accomplished equestrian and Olympic silver medalist, said, “Probably not as long as she’s still competing.” It would be a bit difficult to commute. But after that…yeah, I think if an opportunity arose, we would definitely think about it.’
‘Early January is bleak around here [England] so it’s good to go and get some sun. I love the Australian lifestyle and the ability to get up early, go to the beach, especially for the kids, taking them out to sea is great,” added Mike.
The couple, who are not working royals and have no titles, keep a relatively low profile despite their status as professional athletes, and the laid-back lifestyle Down Under seems to suit them.
The Tindalls Ringed in New Years 2020 in Sydney with a Top Crowd, Including Rebel Wilson
Mike and Zara were interviewed on Channel Seven’s Sunrise show on the Adelaide 500 in December.
‘It’s not a rushed lifestyle. I think it’s a great venue and we really enjoyed it,” Mike explained.
Mia loves to swim. Of course, the weather allows you to be able to go swimming all day every day. When we first took her to Australia, she was 11 months old, we sparked her love of water,” Zara added.
The Tindalls are currently in Gold Coast, Queensland, as Zara is an ambassador for the Magic Millions equestrian event.
The royal couple were ambassadors for the Adelaide 500 (pictured trackside at the event)
Zara was announced as the first Magic Millions Racing Women Ambassador in 2012, and now travels to Surfers Paradise every year for the Gold Coast Yearling Sale, seven days of auctions culminating in a major race where all contenders are purchased horses. in previous Magic Millions. auctions
The week also includes show jumping and polo events, in which Zara participated.
“This is an ongoing partnership that sees Zara attend events every year to present gifts to the winners,” Mischa Jolin, managing director of brand, public relations and influencer agency EdenCancan, previously told Femail.
Such is Mike’s love for Australia that he paid tribute to the Queen following her death in September by sharing this photo of the Sydney Opera House lit up with a photo of Her Majesty.
“She is an integral part of the brand that empowers women within the equestrian field. I anticipate this partnership is worth around £125,000 [AUD$219,000] by year.’
The couple was seen mingling with Aussie A-listers, including Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky, at the Queensland society event last Sunday.
Later they took a trip to Byron Bay, a beachside town located in the far northeast of New South Wales.
After spending time in Queensland, the Tindalls and their friends took a trip to Byron Bay, a coastal town located in the far northeast of New South Wales.
In December, they visited Down Under for the Adelaide 500 motor racing before returning to England for Christmas.
The Tindalls previously played New Year’s Eve 2020 in Sydney to an A-list crowd, including Rebel Wilson and Prince Harry’s best friend Nacho Figueras.
Mike also visited Australia in November 2022 to take part in the UK version of I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here!, which was filmed in Springbrook National Park near Murwillumbah, NSW.
Olympian Zara, 41, looked stylish in her equestrian outfit at Surfers Paradise on January 10.
Zara came out to support her husband and was seen in Murwillumbah and Byron Bay.
After filming wrapped, they spent several weeks in Australia, before returning to celebrate Christmas with King Charles at Sandringham.
Such is Mike’s love for Australia, that he paid tribute to the Queen after her death in September by sharing a photo of the Sydney Opera House lit up with a photo of Her Majesty.
Mike shared this photo when he and Zara attended the Magic Millions tournament last week.
If Zara and Mike were to move abroad, it would certainly be a blow to the Royal Family given their status as popular members, even though they don’t work.
But it’s unlikely to draw the same attention or consternation that Megxit did, given that Harry and Meghan were both working and titled family members when they stepped down in January 2020.
Zara, who is 20th in line to the throne, does not work on behalf of the King and receives no Sovereign Grant money.
In another snap shared by the former rugby ace, he affectionately put his arm around Zara.