Mike Tindall reveals how wife Zara Phillips is finding pregnancy in a pandemic
Mike Tindall has opened up about how his wife Zara Phillips is finding being pregnant during the coronavirus pandemic.
The couple announced they were expecting their third child back in December 2020, with Tindall sharing the news on his rugby podcast.
But the former rugby player has now explained this pregnancy has been somewhat different for Phillips due in part to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Revealing that his equestrian wife is now heavily pregnant so can’t ride horses, Tindall went on to tell The Times that she’s still teaching as well as seeing to the horses and stables.
And though she unsurprisingly gets very tired, the couple have found that being pregnant during a pandemic does have some positives.
“It’s been really low-key,” Tindall told the publication. “She doesn’t have to go outside or worry about what to wear; you’re not going to events so from Zara’s side it’s been a lot easier than normal.”
“Obviously it’s easier if the kids are going to school,” he added.
Read more: Zara Tindall complains about husband Mike's favourite new pastime in lockdown
The couple, who have two daughters, Mia, seven, and Lena, two, have previously opened up about Philips suffering two miscarriages before she became pregnant with their second child.
“For me, the worst bit was that we had to tell everyone, everyone knew… I had to go through having the baby because it was so far along,” Phillips previously told The Times of her first miscarriage.
“I then had another miscarriage really early on.”
Being a father of girls, Tindall has admitted that this time round he’d like a boy to balance things up.
“It was always an interesting question whether we’d go for a third and I think both of us wanted a boy, so hopefully we’ll get one,” he told The Times.
But the couple have decided not to find out the gender of their third child.
“I think it’s better that way,” Tindall explained. “At the end of the day, you’re just happy if it’s got ten fingers and ten toes and it’s healthy.
“And Mia’s such a Daddy’s girl, it’s been brilliant. I’ve loved having girls.”
Watch: Zara Tindall reflects on miscarriages.
Tindall previously explained that though his preference would be for a little boy, he’ll be equally happy to welcome another girl.
Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast, Tindall said: “I’d like a boy this time, I’ve got two girls, I would like a boy.
“I’ll love it whether a boy or a girl – but please be a boy.”
Read more: Prince William admits 'hardest time is dinner time' with three children at home
The family have been spending the third lockdown at their home on Anne’s estate in Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, which was a wedding present from the Queen.
Like many families across the UK right now, they have been riding the rollercoaster of the home school juggle.
The former rudby pro previously shared an image to Instagram which no doubt touched a chord with many parents currently home schooling.
Tindall posted an image of what happened when his daughters were given free rein with the face paints.
Covered in black paint across his nose and forehead, and with a bright orange beard, Tindall captioned the image: “Feel like I succeeded in home schooling arts and crafts today!! Any movies out there need a creepy villain I think I fit the bill!”
Read more: Kate Middleton’s Struggling With Homeschooling Her Kids During the Pandemic Too
He previously admitted he had found homeschool “frustrating” and said it was a “no-brainer” to send his eldest daughter, Mia, back to school as soon as they could.
“I don't think any child is a great home-schooler because they definitely listen to other people better than they listen to their parents,” he said.
He added: “Mia enjoyed it the first week because it was different being around mum and dad all the time.
“But then ultimately it's the same people who are telling her off or telling her what to do and I think she gets bored of that.”
