Mike Tindall insists Royal Family don't live like Downton Abbey

Former rugby star Mike Tindall has insisted the Royal Family don't sit around like an episode of 'Downton Abbey'.

The former England rugby star - who has been married to King Charles' niece Zara since 2011 - has opened up on his experiences with the royals, and how late monarch Queen Elizabeth II enjoyed a more "normal" life, despite people expecting it to be likes a scene from Julian Fellowes' period drama.

In his new book 'The Good, the Bad and the Rugby - Unleashed' - which he co-wrote with James Haskell and Alex Payne - he said: "I'm sometimes asked if the Queen did informality like 'normal' people, and the answer to that is yes.

"Her life wasn't like an episode of 'Downton Abbey', with meals on long tables and everyone dressed in their finery every night."

The 45-year-old star used to enjoy settling down to "watch the racing" with the Queen - who died aged 96 in September 2022 - comparing it to how "lots of people" spend time with their grandmother.

He added: "Zara and I would often watch the racing with her on TV, as I'm sure lots of people reading this have done with their gran."

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Mike also recalled enjoying "relaxed" lunches, with more a focus on "spending precious time" with loved ones rather than keeping up appearances.

He wrote: "Lunches were also relaxed, especially up in Scotland, where lunch would often be heading out into the open space of the Scottish Highlands for a picnic.

"There's a great picture of my daughter Mia sitting with the Duke of Edinburgh that captures exactly what those afternoons were like: members of a very close family who loved each other dearly spending precious time together."

It's believed the photo he's referring to is the same one he shared after Prince Philip died in 2021.

He wrote on Instagram at the time: "It's been a very sad week but it has given us time to reflect on great memories and stories both personal and shared.

"A devoted family man who we will forever miss but always love."