Mike Tindall, husband of King Charles's niece Zara, has shared an insight into what the Royal Family are like in private.
The former England Rugby international described the royals as "a very close family who loved each other dearly".
In his book, The Good, the Bad & the Rugby - Unleashed, co-written with co-hosts James Haskell and Alex Payne, released today, he described watching TV with the late Queen Elizabeth and picnic lunches with the Royal Family.
Mike said: "Zara and I would often watch the racing with her on TV, as I'm sure lots of people reading this have done with their gran."
Mike described watching TV with the late Queen Elizabeth and picnic lunches with the Royal Family.
Reuters"Lunches were also relaxed, especially up in Scotland, where lunch would often be heading out into the open space of the Scottish Highlands for a picnic.
"There's a great picture of my daughter Mia sitting with the Duke of Edinburgh that captures exactly what those afternoons were like: members of a very close family who loved each other dearly spending precious time together."
Mike shared the treasured photo on Instagram the day before Prince Philips's funeral in April 2021.
The caption read: "It's been a very sad week but it has given us time to reflect on great memories and stories both personal and shared."
The photo, taken by Prince William, shows the former Duke of Edinburg sitting outside a log cabin with Mike and Zara's eldest daughter Mia, now 10.
Instagram/mike_tindall12
The photo, taken by Princess Kate, shows the former Duke of Edinburg sitting outside a log cabin with Mike and Zara's eldest daughter Mia, now 10.
He added that the public's perception of Queen Elizabeth II's life wasn't like an episode of Downton Abbey, "with meals on long tables and everyone dressed in their finery every night."
Mike also said: "I'm sometimes asked if the (late) Queen did informality like normal people, and the answer to that is yes."
Mike proposed to Zara Tindall in 2010 and married into the Royal Family a year later.
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Mike was introduced to Zara by Prince Harry in Australia after winning the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup with England.
Instagram / Mike TindallIn the new book, he described the transition into royal life as "Simple really."
He said: "Believe it or not, marrying into the Royal Family was pretty easy for me. They were always nice to me, and I was always nice to them."
Mike was introduced to Zara by Prince Harry in Australia after winning the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup with England.
The sporty couple have three children, Mia, 10, Lena, six, and Lucas, three.
