Mike Tindall becomes the latest royal to join Instagram – and he’s shared an unseen photo of wife Zara out shooting
MIKE Tindall is the latest member of the royal family to get a personal Instagram account – and has already shared a sweet picture of wife Zara.
The down-to-earth rugby star, 40, joined the social media site with the handle at the end of September, following Princess Eugenie, Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew opening accounts.
The news will no doubt excited fans of Mike and Zara Tindall, who are reasonably private about their family life and shy away from the spotlight.
One of the first photos he has shared shows Zar, 38,a taking part in a clay shooting event to raise money for wildlife conservation charity Tusk.
Dedicated husband Mike added the caption: "Great day clay shooting for @tusk_org supported by @landrover_uk. Finished up 3rd but it was a lot of fun!!"
Other shots include him playing golf, pictures with his friends and a shot thanking The Stafford Hotel in London for his visit.
Currently there are no pictures of his adorable children, Mia Grace, five, and Lena Elizabeth, one.
Former rugby union star Mike is currently following over 100 accounts, including many famous faces who he has brushed shoulders with at high-profile events, such as Ant and Dec and former Westlife singer Brian McFadden.
He may have less 1,000 followers currently, but if the rest of the royal family is anything to go by, he’ll soon rack up the numbers.
Princess Eugenie joined Instagram on March 8, 2018, International Women's Day, and she has since racked up 1million followers.
Princess Beatrice has a Twitter account, but it isn't run by her.
Eugenie and Beatrice's parents Sarah Ferguson and Prince Andrew have their own accounts, with 242,000 and 219,000 followers respectively.
Meghan Markle deleted her personal Instagram account when she started dating Prince Harry, but their official SussexRoyal account has over 9.6million followers.
This follows just behind Kate Middleton and Prince William’s KensingtonRoyal account which has 10.1million fans.
THE DOWN-TO-EARTH TINDALLS ARE THE 'QUEEN'S FAVOURITES'
Her Majesty, 93, is very close to her eldest granddaughter Zara Tindall, 38, and her ex-rugby union husband Mike, 40 – and a royal expert claims she has a “tighter bond with them than she does with Kate and William”.
Ingrid Seward, Editor-in-Chief of Majesty Magazine, told Fabulous Digital that the Queen likes to be around the Tindalls as they seem more “normal” than the Cambridges.
She added: “The Queen has always adored Zara and is so proud of her riding success.
"They have a lot in common as they talk horses and the Queen has invested in several horses for her.
"They are certainly light relief. She can be herself around them and she does not care for the alleged feuding among William and Harry."
Zara, the daughter of Princess Anne and Mark Phillips, married to Mike in 2011 and they have been dubbed the most "down to earth" royals in the family.
Speaking to Fabulous Digital, a source said of Zara: “She and Mike relax in their dog-strewn home with a box set, a good curry and some lagers to assist the evening.”
When they do enjoy a Saturday date night out in their local pubs in Gloucestershire, their two kids are watched over by Princess Anne, 69.
The source added: “Mike and Zara are a real team, a strong family unit, genuinely still in love, they hold hands in public, and are the best company to be around.
“They love a Saturday night in their local pub, content in then knowledge that their two happy daughters are tucked up with granny Princess Anne, listening to her reading them stories.”
MORE ON THE ROYAL FAMILY
We shared photos of loved-up Zara and Mike Tindall sharing a kiss at Gatcombe horse trials last month.
And ‘fun-loving’ Zara and Mike are the most wanted royal guests at dinner parties NOT Meghan Markle and Prince Harry, royal commentator claims.