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Daily Mirror
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Zara Tindall spills all on marriage and why royal guards stormed in on Mike
Zara Tindall has opened up exclusively to the Mirror about her marriage to former rugby player Mike Tindall, with the olympian revealing why she thought he was a bit 'boring' when they first met Zara Tindall has opened up about her marriage with former England rugby player Mike Tindall, offering rare insight into what their family life is really like behind closed doors. Both Zara and Mike have enjoyed long and successful careers in sport and their down-to-earth approach has made them firm favourites with royal fans. The niece of King Charles has admitted that she wasn't actually super impressed with Mike when they first crossed paths back in 2003, telling The Mirror that her first impression of her now-husband was that he was a bit "boring". However, it didn't take long for him to win Zara over, and the couple have been married for over 13 years, and welcomed three children into their family: Mia, 11, Lena, six, and Lucas, four. Zara, the daughter of Princess Anne, said of their first encounter: "It is a long story. I was out with some mates. We went out to watch the Rugby World Cup. It was when we were young enough to run away from life. I went out for an all day lunch with some girlfriends. We went around the harbour and they were all very drunk and were like 'England are staying in that hotel'. "I walked past the restaurant and I saw Austin Healey. The girls went to Austin and dropped my name and told him where they were going to be. He came out for a drink with us and he brought Mike and Martin Corrigan. "Mikey, I thought was a bit boring actually. When Austin left and I was told 'He wants to call you after the final'. I was like 'that is a bit keen. They have not even got through the semis yet.'" "Anyway, he messaged me the whole time like 'Come for a drink, come for a drink'. I was actually hanging out with some of the All Blacks. "At 8am I walked into this bar and all the England guys were in there and Mike was walking out with this girl and he was like 'come for a drink'. I was like 'I have got to go home.' To this day he said that he only went and raided her fridge!" Zara, who turns 44 today, also divulged some of the most memorable moments in the couple's long relationship, joking that one of the most "annoying" came when Mike bought a race horse on the spur of the moment, without much of a clue what he was doing. "We went to Cheltenham and it was sales night. Horses were coming in and you bid on them. He had a few beers. "Most people when they buy a horse check out what it has done. It was the last lot of the night and Mikey put his hand up and that was it. He was left buying this horse. Annoyingly it did not backfire. The horse ended up winning the Welsh Grand National and it was third in the Grand National. It was so annoying." The silver medal-winning equestrian also admitted that on one occasion, she had to send the police that protect the royals into her mother's apartment in St. James's Palace to wake up her husband - who had overslept after a late night with his rugby crowd. "He overslept and was staying at St James's Palace. Our PR girl was like 'where is he?' I rang the police at St James's and said 'can you wake Mike up?' He was in my mum's flat. They let themselves in. He says they came in with guns," Zara revealed. When it comes to parenting their three youngsters, Zara explained, she and Mike share a desire to instill a strong work ethic in their kids - and that she hopes they take an interest in a sport of some kind, something she believes helps make you a "rounded person". "Hopefully, you can instil in them (our children) the values that you hold and from both of us what we have learned from our careers and our hard work, dedication, motivations, lessons, and respect," she explained. "I hope that our children will learn as well. I want to make sure especially how life is now, it is so easy to be distracted from that kind of thing, so we try and work every day to make sure they get the same values that we had. "I would love them to be involved in sport as it makes you a rounded person. That is what I want for them. I think every child in the whole country should be able to be open and be able to try every sport, at least one time." Get Prince Harry updates straight to your WhatsApp! As the Duke of Sussex settles down to life in the US alongside Meghan Markle, the Mirror has launched its very own Royal WhatsApp community where you'll get all the latest news on the UK's most famous family. We'll send you the latest breaking updates and exclusives all directly to your phone. Users must download or already have WhatsApp on their phones to join in. All you have to do to join is click on this link, select 'Join Chat' and you're in! 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Daily Record
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Record
Zara Tindall had royal guards with guns take action when hungover Mike slept in at Anne's flat
Zara TIndall opened up about her marriage with Mike during a charity dinner this week, revealing a hilarious story about her hungover husband after he enjoyed a boozy night out. Zara and Mike Tindall have once again proven they are the most down to earth royal couple after recalling a hilarious story about the very hungover rugby star on the morning after a wild night out. The 44-year-old revealed how she once had to order guards at St James's Palace to wake up her husband after he overslept in her mother Princess Anne's royal apartment. Speaking at a charity meal, the Olympic equestrian told amused guests about the moment former England rugby player Mike slept through a key event following a boozy night out. She recalled: "He overslept and was staying at St James's Palace. Our PR girl was like 'Where is he?' "I rang the police at St James's and said 'Can you wake Mike up?' He was in my mum's flat. They let themselves in. He says they came in with guns." The funny anecdote was just one of many moments that Zara shared during the £210-a-head Sporting Club dinner in London. She also offered an entertaining behind-the-scenes glimpse into her royal life, her marriage with Mike, and parenting their three children - Mia, 11, Lena, six, and Lucas, four. Zara, who is the daughter of the Princess Royal and Captain Mark Phillips, confessed that life with Mike is never dull - especially when alcohol is involved. She recounted one evening at Cheltenham races when Mike, a few drinks in, bought a racehorse for £12,000, without checking anything about it. She said: "We went to Cheltenham and it was sales night. Horses were coming in and you bid on them. He had a few beers. "Most people when they buy a horse check out what it has done. It was the last lot of the night and Mikey put his hand up and that was it. "He was left buying this horse. Annoyingly it did not backfire. The horse ended up winning the Welsh Grand National and it was third in the Grand National. It was so annoying." Zara and Mike first met in 2003 during the Rugby World Cup in Australia. The royal had been with her pals at the time while Mike was out celebrating England's victory. She explained: "He messaged me the whole time like, 'Come for a drink. At 8am I walked into this bar and Mike was walking out with this girl. He says he only raided her fridge!" Now, after 14 years of marriage, the couple keep their medals hanging above the drinks in their home bar Zara joked: "I've got more medals than him The Rugby World Cup is once every four years. For us (in equestrianism) there is more to win. England (rugby team) have only won it once!" Join the Daily Record WhatsApp community! Get the latest news sent straight to your messages by joining our WhatsApp community today. You'll receive daily updates on breaking news as well as the top headlines across Scotland. No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Daily Record team. All you have to do is click here if you're on mobile, select 'Join Community' and you're in! If you're on a desktop, simply scan the QR code above with your phone and click 'Join Community'. We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. If you don't like our community, you can check out any time you like. To leave our community click on the name at the top of your screen and choose 'exit group'. Zara also shared that she hopes her children inherit her and Mike's sporting values. She said: "I hope that our children will learn as well. I want to make sure especially how life is now, it is so easy to be distracted from that kind of thing, so we try and work every day to make sure they get the same values that we had. "I would love them to be involved in sport as it makes you a rounded person. That is what I want for them. I think every child in the whole country should be able to be open and be able to try every sport, at least one time."
Daily Mirror
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Zara Tindall told royal guards to take action on hungover husband Mike
Zara Tindall opened up about her marriage during a charity dinner this week, admitting that she once had to call the royal guards on Mike Tindall after he woke up in her mother's apartment Most married couples have had the odd morning-after mishap - but few involve royal guards, palace flats, and one very hungover rugby star. Zara Tindall has revealed how she once ordered guards at St James's Palace to wake her husband Mike Tindall after he overslept in her mother Princess Anne's royal apartment. Speaking at a charity dinner, the soon-to-be 44-year-old Olympic equestrian told guests about the moment her husband, former England rugby player Mike, snoozed through a key event after a heavy night. "He overslept and was staying at St James's Palace," she said. "Our PR girl was like 'Where is he?' I rang the police at St James's and said 'Can you wake Mike up?' He was in my mum's flat. They let themselves in. He says they came in with guns." The funny memory was just one of many moments Zara shared during the £210-a-head Sporting Club dinner in London, where she offered a hilarious behind-the-scenes glimpse into royal life, her relationship with Mike, and parenting their three kids - Mia, 11, Lena, six, and Lucas, four. Zara, the daughter of Princess Anne and Captain Mark Phillips, admitted that life with Mike is never dull - especially when alcohol is involved. She recalled one night at Cheltenham races when Mike, a few drinks in, bought a racehorse for £12,000... without checking anything about it. "We went to Cheltenham and it was sales night. Horses were coming in and you bid on them. He had a few beers. "Most people when they buy a horse check out what it has done. It was the last lot of the night and Mikey put his hand up and that was it. "He was left buying this horse. Annoyingly it did not backfire. The horse ended up winning the Welsh Grand National and it was third in the Grand National. It was so annoying." The pair met in 2003 during the Rugby World Cup in Australia, when Zara was out with friends and Mike was celebrating England's victory. "He messaged me the whole time like, 'Come for a drink,'" she said. "At 8am I walked into this bar and Mike was walking out with this girl. He says he only raided her fridge!" Now married for nearly 14 years, the couple keep their medals hanging above the drinks in their home bar. "I've got more medals than him," she quipped. "The Rugby World Cup is once every four years. For us (in equestrianism) there is more to win. England (rugby team) have only won it once!" Zara also shared parenting insights, saying she hopes her children inherit her and Mike's sporting values. "I hope that our children will learn as well. I want to make sure especially how life is now, it is so easy to be distracted from that kind of thing, so we try and work every day to make sure they get the same values that we had. "I would love them to be involved in sport as it makes you a rounded person. That is what I want for them. I think every child in the whole country should be able to be open and be able to try every sport, at least one time."
Wales Online
06-05-2025
- Wales Online
Grand National horse trainer to stand trial over alleged attack at stables in Wales
Grand National horse trainer to stand trial over alleged attack at stables in Wales Evan Williams, 54, won the Welsh Grand National in 2020 and has had more than 1,200 career wins in total. He denies the charges against him Trainer Evan Williams has more than 1,200 career winners (Image: WALES NEWS SERVICE ) A top horse trainer will stand trial over an alleged attack during a bust-up at his countryside stables in the Vale of Glamorgan. Champion trainer Evan Williams, 54, has over 1,200 career winners, including victory in the 2020 Welsh Grand National, and has scooped more than £3million prize money during the past five years. Williams is accused of causing grievous bodily harm to his alleged victim Martin Dandridge after an incident at the stables on the outskirts of Cardiff last year. Cardiff Crown Court heard Williams was alleged to have "unlawfully and maliciously caused grievous bodily harm" to Mr Dandridge during the bust up on December 4 2024. Williams denied both causing grievous bodily harm with intent and causing grievous bodily harm during the brief hearing. Prosecutor Byron Broadstock said those pleas were "not acceptable" and that the Crown was seeing a trial. Don't miss a court report by signing up to our crime newsletter here . Leah Pollard appeared for Williams at the hearing. Article continues below Welsh trainer Evan Williams (Image: Rob Browne/WalesOnline ) The Recorder of Cardiff, Judge Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, set a trial date for March 3, 2026. Williams, of Fingerpost Farm, Llancarfan, Vale of Glamorgan, was released on bail. Bail was given on condition that Williams must not contact Martin Dandridge. The successful horse trainer, who runs a popular horse training facility in the Vale of Glamorgan, won the Welsh Grand National in 2020 with The Secret Reprieve. He also had horses placed in five consecutive Grand Nationals between 2009 and 2013. Article continues below His website reads: "Here at Evan Williams Racing based in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan you and your horse will benefit from excellent training facilities as well as a friendly and dedicated team that season after season supply a steady flow of winners at all levels. "We pride ourselves on running a highly professional operation where all our horses and owners are very well looked after."
Scottish Sun
06-05-2025
- Scottish Sun
Top Grand National horse trainer to stand trial after ‘attacking man during bust up at his countryside stables'
Trainer has more than 1,200 career winners STABLE 'ASSAULT' Top Grand National horse trainer to stand trial after 'attacking man during bust up at his countryside stables' Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) A TOP Grand National horse trainer is due to stand trial accused of attacking a man in his countryside stables. Evan Williams, 54, allegedly assaulted Martin Dandridge during a bust-up in the Vale of Glamorgan last December. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 2 Evan Williams is accused of attacking a man at his stables Credit: Athena The trainer, who has over 1,200 career winners, appeared at Cardiff Crown Court today. He pleaded not guilty to two charges of causing grievous bodily harm with intent and inflicting grievous bodily harm. Williams is accused of "unlawfully and maliciously causing grievous bodily harm" to Mr Dandridge. His lawyers said they accept that Mr Dandridge had fallen, but dispute the injuries were caused that night. The Recorder of Cardiff, Tracey Lloyd-Clarke, set a trial date for March 3 next year. Williams was released on bail under the condition he does not contact the alleged victim. The successful horse trainer won the Welsh Grand National in 2020 with The Secret Reprieve. He also had horses placed in five consecutive Grand Nationals between 2009 and 2013. Williams, who has scooped more than £3million in prize money over the past five years, runs a training facility at his home. His website says: "Here at Evan Williams Racing based in the heart of the Vale of Glamorgan you and your horse will benefit from excellent training facilities as well as a friendly and dedicated team that season after season supply a steady flow of winners at all levels. " We pride ourselves on running a highly professional operation where all our horses and owners are very well looked after."
