Mike Tindall may be known for being a rugby ace who married into the royal family, but the dad-of-three has a remarkable career.
The former professional rugby player was born in Otley, Leeds in 1978, and is the son of Philip - a banker - and Linda, a social worker. He was educated at the Queen Elizabeth Grammar school in Wakefield, and worked in a fish and chip van to earn money while he was studying.
With rugby in his blood – his dad captained Otley and his three uncles also played for the team - he began playing the sport aged seven at school.
Sports career
When he turned 18, Mike was snapped up by England Schools and went on a seven-week tour of Australia. Returning exhilarated and exhausted, the sports star decided to defer his place to study at Durham University for a year to take up the offer of a place in Bath's rugby squad. He never did make it to Durham.
His career took off and two years later he proudly made his debut in the England team, soon becoming a regular fixture at both club and international level.
© GettyMike's busy schedule didn't leave much time for girls, but one, in particular, was worth the effort – Zara Phillips. There was an instant attraction when the pair met in Sydney on November 22, 2003 - the night England beat Australia and won the rugby World Cup.
What medals does Mike Tindall have?
The rugby player was given an MBE on 31 December 2003, which was awarded after the 2003 World Cup win. He was then made a Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2007 for his contribution to rugby.
During the Queen's funeral in September 2022, Mike was seen with three medals. The first was awarded when he was given an MBE, before earning his second medal, the Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal in 2012, which is a commemorative medal created in 2012 to mark the 60th anniversary of Queen Elizabeth II's accession in 1952.
© ShutterstockHis third and most recent addition came a decade later with the Queen Elizabeth II Platinum Jubilee Medal, which was created to mark the Queen's 70th year on the throne.
Why did the rugby star win an MBE?
An MBE is a Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire. Around 2,000 people are awarded the coveted medal each year, and those awarded are recognised for an outstanding achievement, or service to the community that has had a long-term, significant impact.
© GettyMike was awarded an MBE in 2007 for his contribution to rugby. He played an important role in the England Rugby team that won the Rugby World Cup in 2003. The sports star has also represented England 75 times, captaining the team seven times.
What does Mike Tindall do for a living now?
After he retired from the rugby union in 2014, Mike became a player and coach for Minchinhampton RFC. He has since become a podcast host alongside fellow England player James Haskell and broadcaster Alex Payne with their popular rugby podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby.
In November 2022, the dad-of-three became the first member of the British royal family to enter the I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! jungle.
Royal ties
Mike tied the knot to Zara, daughter of Princess Anne and granddaughter of the late Queen, in July 2011 with Mike quickly becoming an integral part of the royal family.
© GettySpeaking of his royal debut, the dad-of-three credited the Queen for making him feel particularly welcome. He told The Telegraph: "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.
"I've always felt part of it and I think that's down to what an amazing woman the Queen is. They're a fantastic family."
Make sure you never miss a ROYAL story! Sign up to The Royal Explainer newsletter to receive your weekly dose of royal features and other exclusive content straight to your inbox.
