Princess Anne’s Son in Law Mike Tindall Announces Heartbreaking Family Loss

Princess Anne’s son in law and Zara Tindall’s husband Mike Tindall has announced the heartbreaking loss of his father Phil Tindall, revealing that the former rugby player passed away last week at the age of 80 after living with Parkinson’s disease for more than two decades.

Mike, who is married to the Princess Royal’s daughter Zara Tindall, shared the deeply personal update during the latest episode of his podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby.

“Unfortunately, my dad passed away last week,” the former England rugby star told listeners as he discussed the loss and a touching tribute paid to his father.

Phil had his own strong connection with rugby and played for Otley Rugby Club in West Yorkshire, where he also served as captain during the 1972-73 period.

Mike thanked the club after it honoured his father with a minute’s silence during its recent match against Chester, a gesture he was able to watch after someone recorded it for him.

“Big shout-out to Otley Rugby Club,” Mike said, before explaining the significance of the tribute to a man who had once played such an important role at the club.

“They played Chester on the weekend, and they did a minute’s silence to my dad, who was captain in ’72, ’73,” he continued.

Although Mike was not describing being present at the match himself, he revealed that somebody had captured the emotional tribute and sent the recording to him.

“That little moment, I got to watch it,” Mike said. “Someone recorded it, sent it to me, and then they wrote a little thing in the programme as well, which I read.”

He then expressed his appreciation directly to his father’s former club, adding: “But thank you very much to Otley Rugby Club for it.”

Phil had been living with Parkinson’s disease for more than 20 years, and Mike has previously spoken publicly about the devastating impact the condition had on his father over time.

The former England international had recalled watching his father “really deteriorate” as the disease progressed, making Parkinson’s awareness a particularly personal subject for the Tindall family.

Mike is likely to be surrounded by his immediate family during the difficult period, including Zara and their three children, although no details have been publicly provided about how the wider Royal Family has responded to Phil’s death.

There is also no confirmed public statement from Princess Anne or other senior royals offering condolences, so any suggestion of their private response remains speculation. Mike’s own announcement, however, made clear how meaningful Otley Rugby Club’s tribute was as he mourns his father and remembers the sporting legacy they shared.