Mike Tindall admits he ‘worries about money’ for bills and school fees with third child on the way

Mike Tindall has admitted he ‘always worries about money’ for bills and school fees, especially now he and wife Zara are expecting a third child.

The England rugby ace, 42, told how his income from hospitality events has dried up during the pandemic and spoke of the transient nature of brand ambassador roles.

Speaking to The Times, he also revealed he and Princess Anne’s daughter, who share daughters Mia, seven, and Lena, two, are both hoping for their new arrival to be a boy, but won’t find out the gender before the birth. 

Despite being a member of the Royal Family and living on the Princess Royal’s sprawling Gatcombe Estate in Gloucestershire, Mike told the publication he always worries about his financial situation. 

Zara’s mother Princess Anne turned down the Queen’s offer of courtesy royal titles for her chldren when they were born, leaving them to pursue their own careers. 

‘You’ve got to plan and now with a third on the way and what’s coming down the line in terms of school bills, fees to pay,’ Mike said. 

Most of his income now comes from brand ambassadorships, sponsorships and after -dinner speeches. As a result, his income has taken a hit during the pandemic because many hospitality events have been cancelled. 

Mike Tindall has admitted he ‘always worries about money’ especially now he and wife Zara (pictured together in the autumn last year) are expecting a third child

‘I was very fortunate that I had a couple of ambassadorial roles, so you know there’s money coming in, but sponsorships won’t last forever,’ he said. 

Mike retired from professional rugby in July 2014, and described the ensuing six months, when he had ‘nowhere to go’ every day, as ‘not dark-dark but overcast at times’.

He told the publication that being part of the Firm but needing to earn a living is ‘something you just get used to’, adding: ‘It has its benefits and its negatives. 

‘You think about what you do and you have to be aware of it but it doesn’t necessarily dictate. Zara and I have always been good at getting on with what’s right for us.’ 

Zara turns 40 this year, and the couple will also mark their 10th wedding anniversary. Mike said he hopes they can have as many parties as they can after spending so long in lockdown

Zara turns 40 this year, and the couple will also mark their 10th wedding anniversary. Mike said he hopes they can have as many parties as they can after spending so long in lockdown

Mike announced Zara’s pregnancy during an episode of The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast, which he co-presents with James Haskell and Alex Payne. It marked a different approach from the Tindalls, who had formally announced them via Buckingham Palace in the past. 

The couple suffered two miscarriages after the birth of their eldest daughter in 2014, and were the first royals to openly speak about the heartbreaking experience. 

He added that Zara has found this ‘low-key’ pregnancy ‘a lot easier than normal’ due to the Covid restrictions, which has meant she doesn’t have to go to events and ‘worry about what to wear’.

Mike acknowledged that she does get very tired and tries to take it as easy as possible, while still tending to her horses and homeschooling their daughters.

Referring to his wife as his ‘best friend’ who is ‘always right’, Mike added that he thinks it’s ‘better’ not to find out if he and Zara are having a boy or a girl, but they are both keen for a boy.

‘At the end of the day, you’re just happy if it’s got ten fingers and ten toes and it’s healthy. And Mia’s such a Daddy’s girl, it’s been brilliant. I’ve loved having girls,’ he said. 

Mike revealed he and Princess Anne's daughter, who share daughters Mia, seven, and Lena, two, pictured in August 2019, are both hoping for a boy, but are not finding out the gender before the birth

Mike revealed he and Princess Anne’s daughter, who share daughters Mia, seven, and Lena, two, pictured in August 2019, are both hoping for a boy, but are not finding out the gender before the birth

Pregnant Zara, pictured for the first time since the pregnancy announcement, posed for a selfie which Mike shared to Instagram last month

Pregnant Zara, pictured for the first time since the pregnancy announcement, posed for a selfie which Mike shared to Instagram last month

Mike said the fact he and Zara are both professional sportspeople means they understand each other and their motivations, which is why they gel so well. 

Asked whether he thinks their children will take up sporting pursuits, Mike said he’d love his eldest to get to a ‘good standard’ but won’t be forcing her into it, adding she can make her own mind up.  

He also spoke about his own father, who has battled Parkinson’s disease for 17 years. Mike is patron of The Cure Parkinson’s Trust and regularly takes part in fundraising challenges for the cause.

His dad Philip now ‘hobbles around’ with a stick, and Mike told how Mia teases him for it, which he thinks he enjoys in a dark sort of way. 

As a result of watching their grandfather cope with his illness, Mike said he hopes his daughters will grow up with a better understanding of disability which will make them ‘better people’. 

Zara turns 40 this year, and the couple will also mark their 10th wedding anniversary. Mike said he hopes they can have as many parties as they can after spending so long in lockdown.