King Charles III has reportedly made a heartfelt intervention to persuade his niece, Zara Tindall, and her husband, Mike Tindall, against making a permanent move to Australia.
A Monarch's Concern
The monarch, who celebrated his 77th birthday, was said to be deeply concerned by the speculation that the couple were considering a major relocation across the globe. The King enjoys a particularly close bond with Zara, which is often visible at public events like Royal Ascot, and the potential move was a source of significant distress for him.
The couple, who were introduced by Zara's cousin, Prince Harry, in a Sydney pub back in 2003, have always held a special affection for Australia. They tied the knot in July 2011 and are parents to three children: Mia, Lena, and Lucas. The family currently resides on the Princess Royal's Gatcombe Park estate in Gloucestershire.
The Family Compromise
During a serious family discussion about the potential permanent move, the idea was met with "blank faces and teary eyes" from other members of the family. It became instantly clear that a full-time relocation was not a viable option.
Instead, a source revealed in October 2024 that the couple had settled on a new plan: to split their time between the two countries. Their strategy is "for the family to spend more time in Australia over the coming years which includes both winter and summer holidays abroad with the children."
This compromise was reportedly met with "extreme joy" by King Charles, who is keen to maintain family harmony, especially in light of the ongoing tensions with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
An Enduring Love for Australia
Despite deciding against a permanent move, the Tindalls' connection to Australia remains strong. They visited the Gold Coast in January for the Magic Millions racing event and returned in July to support the British and Irish Lions, sharing a photograph with the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground in the background.
Their affection was further highlighted during a trip to the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Mike Tindall took to Instagram, writing, "Queensland definitely has it all... it really was unreal," comments that had initially fuelled relocation rumours.
Back in 2019, Zara had hinted at a future move, telling the Australian Women's Weekly, "if an opportunity came up, we'd definitely think about it." Mike echoed this sentiment, praising the country's relaxed lifestyle. For now, however, the King's emotional plea has ensured the Tindalls will keep their primary home in the UK.
