Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s move to California in January 2020 sparked a royal furor that continues to this day.
But the Duke and Duchess of Sussex aren’t the first royal couple to consider leaving Britain, as Harry’s cousin Zara Tindall (née Phillips) revealed in 2019 that she was considering moving her family Down Under.
Princess Anne’s daughter, 41, and ex-rugby player husband Mike Tindall, 44, already spend a few months a year in Australia and often speak of their fondness for the country.
Harry and Meghan aren’t the first royal couple to consider leaving the UK. Harry’s cousin Zara Tindall revealed in 2019 that she and her husband Mike were considering moving to Australia with their family. (The Tindalls are pictured in Byron Bay, NSW earlier this week.)
Princess Anne’s daughter, 41, and her ex-rugby player husband, 44, already spend a few months a year in Australia and often speak of their fondness for the country. (The couple is pictured on January 10 on the Gold Coast, Queensland.)
The Tindalls, parents of 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 heartache after being left out of the England squad ahead of the semi-finals during the 2003 World Cup.
Zara, who was on a gap year at the time, was introduced to the fly-half by Prince Harry, who was in Australia to cheer on the England team.
Since marrying in 2011, the couple have visited Australia almost every year, only taking a break between 2020 and 2021 during the Covid-19 lockdown.
Speaking to The Australian Women’s Weekly in December 2019, a month before Harry and Meghan stepped down from royal duties, Zara revealed she was considering swapping life on her mother’s Gloucestershire estate for sunny Australia.
The couple (pictured in Surfers Paradise in 2019), who don’t work royals and don’t own titles, keep a relatively low profile despite their status as professional athletes
The Tindalls, parents of 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 recent trip Down Under.)
Zara, an accomplished equestrian and Olympic silver medalist, said: “Probably not while I’m still competing. It would be a bit difficult to commute. But after that… yeah, I think if an opportunity arises, we’ll definitely consider it.”
‘Early January is bleak over here [England] So it’s nice to have a bit of sun. I love the Australian lifestyle and being able to get up early and go to the beach – especially for the kids it’s great to take them in the sea,” added Mike.
The couple, who are neither working royals nor 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 ushered in 2020 in Sydney to an A-list crowd including Rebel Wilson
Mike and Zara were interviewed on Channel Seven’s Sunrise at the Adelaide 500 in December
“It’s not a rushed lifestyle. I think it’s a great place and we’re enjoying it so much,” explained Mike.
“Mia loves swimming. Of course, the climate allows you to swim all day, every day. She was 11 months old when we first brought her to Australia and we nurtured her love of water,” added Zara.
The Tindalls are currently based on the 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 grand race meet where all the entrants are horses bought at previous Magic Millions became auctions.
The week also includes show jumping and polo events that Zara has attended.
“This is an ongoing partnership, with Zara attending events each year to give gifts to the winners,” Mischa Jolin, chief executive of influencer, PR and branding agency EdenCancan, previously told Femail.
Such is Mike’s love for Australia that he paid tribute to the Queen after 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 in equestrian sport. I would estimate this partnership to be worth around £125,000 [AUD$219,000] per year.’
The couple were spotted at the Queensland Society event last Sunday mingling with Australian A-listers including Chris Hemsworth and his wife Elsa Pataky.
They later took a trip to Byron Bay, a coastal town in the far north-east of NSW.
After spending time in Queensland, the Tindalls and friends took a trip to Byron Bay, a coastal town in far north-east NSW
In December they visited Down Under for the Adelaide 500 car race before returning to England for Christmas.
The Tindalls previously ushered in 2020 in Sydney with 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!, filmed in Springbrook National Park near Murwillumbah, NSW.
Olympian Zara, 41, looked chic in her riding gear on January 10 at Surfers Paradise
Zara came out to support her husband and was spotted in Murwillumbah and Byron Bay.
After filming, 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 with a photo of Her Majesty.
Mike shared this photo as he and Zara competed in the Magic Millions tournament last week
If Zara and Mike were to move abroad, it would undoubtedly be a blow to the royal family, given their status as popular if non-working members.
However, it’s unlikely to garner the same attention or consternation that Megxit caused, given that Harry and Meghan were working and family when they stepped down in January 2020.
Zara, the twentieth in line to the throne, does not work for the king and receives no money from the sovereign grant.
In another snap shared by the former rugby star, he lovingly put his arm around Zara