While the world anxiously awaitedthe arrival of Princess Charlotte, former rugby star Mike Tindall wascasually golfing when he received the news via text message from his wife, theQueen's granddaughter, Zara Tindall. Excited for another new little royal, thefather-of-one opened up to HELLO! magazine about future play dates with Prince William and Kate Middleton and leaving the rough and tumble sporting world to proudly take on the roleof dad.
“It’s brilliant that Kate and William now have a little girl as well asa boy,” Mike told HELLO! at his third annual ISPS Handa Celebrity GolfClassic day in Hertford, England. “We’re thrilled for them. I congratulated William in atext message, saying, ‘Fantastic news. So happy for you.’”
The 36-year-old thinks "it's great" a new generation of youngroyals are springing up. "They’re all quite close in age and hopefully they’llgrow up as good friends,” he said. But, for now Mike and his family are lettingthe Duke and Duchess settle into their new life at Anmer Hall before planningany visits.
"I’m sure the children will bump heads at some point, but Ithink it will be a little while yet," he added. "We’ll let them getsettled into their new home, and the baby settle into the world, beforeeveryone jumps on them.”
Meanwhile in the Tindall household, Mike, who married Zara in 2011, has happily taken on the role of dad and husband. “I wake up at 6 am, go to the gym, return for when Mia wakes up at 8 am – we’re lucky that she sleeps so well – and then the three of us will have breakfast," he shares.
But, Prince George and his new sibling won't be getting a new first cousin anytime soon. Zara and Mike are putting their baby plans on hold because she has her sights set on the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro.
"It means I won't be able to have any more children between now and then," Zara told the Financial Times. The 33-year-old, who tied the knot with her athlete husband in Edinburgh on July 30, 2011, revealed that she has been able to balance motherhood with her riding commitments as the family-friendly nature of the eventing circuit means that Mia, 15 months, can come along to training and competitions. "I don't have to go the entire day missing her," said Zara, who is regularly seen at horse riding events with her little one.
The family lives in cottage on Zara's mother Princess Anne's Gloucestershire estate in Gatcombe Park.
For more about the famly's routine and whether Mike plans on tackling another reality show, read the full story in this week's HELLO! magazine, available via digital download or on Friday at all Barnes & Noble stores and selected newsstands.
Mike Tindall is patron of Rugby for Heroes and an ambassador for the Midlands Air Ambulance Charity in the UK. A donation was made to charity for this HELLO! magazine interview.
