When Mike Tindall married his wife, Zara (née Phillips), in 2011, the match between the former rugby pro and the decorated equestrian made a lot of sense. But because Zara is the daughter of Princess Anne and the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, it raised some questions about how a rough-and-tumble guy might fit into the broader royal family. This fall, Mike has joined the 22nd season of the classic British reality show I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here, and between the outlandish challenges, he gave some scandalous insight into what life is like with his royal in-laws.
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It all started when Mike was talking about the danger that dancing poses to a tight suit. “I love a suit, but my problem with suits is over-exaggerated dancing at weddings,” he said. “I rip a lot of suits, trousers and stuff.”
In 2011, just a few months before his wedding. Mike was dancing at Zara’s seventies-themed 30th birthday party when he did a move he called a “slutdrop,” a term coined on Geordie Shore for dropping it low and getting back up, while Anne was watching. “I was dancing on the dance floor. Mind, I had flares on, like a full outfit, but it was quite tight. Nothing ever fits over a rugby player’s bum,” he said. “So I was dancing with my mother-in-law, and I did a slutdrop in front of my mother-in-law.”
He had the two comedians he was sitting with, Seann Walsh and Babatúndé Aléshé, cracking up at this point but the story wasn’t over. “I ripped my trousers straight in front of her,” Mike added, “and it happened to be that my boxers that I had on at that time said ‘nibble my nuts.’” But Anne was immediately ready with a witty retort. “As I turn round, she’s gone, “I’d rather not.” And I said, “Yeah, I’m going.” And I walked off.”
The laughter continued. “Big Mike is a legend,” Aléshé later said in the confessional booth.
Even though their relationship might have gotten off to a rough start, Anne is now close to Mike, who lives with Zara and their children Mia, Lena, and Lucas in a house on Anne’s 730-acre estate, Gatcombe Park. Earlier this month, Zara praised Anne during a video shot on the estate, saying that she hoped she has a legacy like her mother, who is known “for being hard working and respectful and loyal and a good mum.”
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