Former rugby player Mike Tindall has shared an affectionate detail about his relationship with Princess Anne. During a television appearance, Zara Tindall’s husband explained that he does not use his mother-in-law’s title in private conversation, but a much warmer family term instead. The comment added a fresh glimpse into how the royal family interacts behind closed doors. It also underlined how settled Mike has become within the family since marrying Zara in 2011, with sport continuing to be one of their strongest shared bonds.
Mike Tindall Says He Calls Princess Anne "Mam"
During an appearance on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Mike spoke about featuring members of the royal family on his podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby. He praised their involvement and explained why those conversations mattered. "They were amazing," said Mike according to Hello Magazine. He added that the goal was to show why rugby connects people from different backgrounds and why Princess Anne has supported the Scottish Rugby Union for decades. Asked directly by Susanna Reid what he calls his mother-in-law, Mike gave a simple answer: "Mam."
Princess Anne’s Rugby Role Matters to Mike
Mike made clear that Princess Anne’s long-standing support for rugby was a key reason he wanted her included in the podcast. He said he wanted listeners to hear why she enjoys the sport and the people around it, not just her official role. He also stressed rugby’s broad appeal, saying it welcomes supporters from every side. That focus fits neatly with the family’s public connection to sport, especially as Mike and Zara have built much of their own life around major sporting events, charity competitions, and long-term friendships in the rugby world.
Mike Tindall Has Spoken About Royal Support
The former England player has also spoken in the past about how warmly he was received after joining the family. In a 2021 interview with The Telegraph, he reflected on the support he and his relatives received after his marriage to Zara. "I can only say how kind they've been to me, and how welcoming they've been to me since joining the family. And how they've made my family welcome," Mike told The Telegraph. He also praised Queen Elizabeth II and said that sense of belonging started with her example.
Mike Tindall Jokes About Princess Kate in Family Chat
Mike has also shared a lighter story about Princess Kate and her competitive streak. Speaking on an earlier podcast episode, he recalled trying to gather details after her rugby training session at Twickenham in 2022 so he could joke about it in the family WhatsApp group. He said he texted England prop Ellis Genge hoping for a mistake to mention, but the feedback did not help his case. Instead, Mike learned that Kate had performed well, especially with her kicking, reinforcing his view that she is highly competitive.
