Zara Tindall struggles to hold back tears in honest conversation with Mike Tindall

Zara Tindall was overcome with emotion when discussing her Olympic success and late horse owner Trevor Hemmings with her husband, Mike.

Zara Tindall fights back tears (Image: YouTube/Mike Drop)

Zara Tindall fought back tears while reflecting on her Olympic achievements with her husband, Mike, during an appearance on his YouTube series. The former England rugby international celebrates his 48th birthday today and will mark the milestone alongside his devoted wife. The couple's romance began in November 2003 in Australia while Mike was representing England at the Rugby World Cup. Their wedding took place in 2011 at a royal ceremony in Edinburgh, just one year before Zara took part in the London 2012 Olympics.

Princess Anne's daughter has built a reputation not merely through her royal connections, but through her remarkable achievements in equestrianism.

Twelve months after exchanging vows with Mike, Zara and her mount High Kingdom secured a silver medal at the London 2012 Games.

Throughout her sporting journey, the 45-year-old claimed two gold medals at the 2005 European Championship, alongside an individual gold and team silver at the World Equestrian Games the subsequent year.

It was her bond with her horse's owner, Trevor Hemmings, that almost reduced her to tears during a 2023 appearance on her husband's 'Mike Drop' channel.

She started by recalling: "We managed to get him [High Kingdom] to the Olympics, which was incredible. Trev, Trevor Hemmings, has won so many amazing things in his racing career, Grand Nationals and things like that."

Zara Phillips and her horse High Kingdom (Image: Alex Livesey/Getty Images)

Hemmings passed away in 2021, and it was that recollection which appeared to stir deep emotion within the royal family member. Zara became tearful as she continued: "But to see his face at the Olympics and to get that team medal was amazing.

"And to be able to give something back to him when he had supported me for so long was incredible. I'm going to get emotional now.."

She also candidly discussed juggling motherhood with her equestrian career, confessing to experiencing "mum guilt" when she returned to fitness following childbirth.

Zara added: "I found it hard to get back to it. Mentally, you feel guilty leaving your child to do something else."

The couple share three children: 12-year-old Mia Grace, eight-year-old Lena Elizabeth and five-year-old Lucas Philip.