Princess Anne’s son-in-law shares a touching tribute to Australia and the queen

Mike Tindall paid a touching tribute to the Queen by sharing a photo of the Sydney Opera House illuminated by a photo of Her Majesty.

The husband of Princess Anne’s daughter Zara Tindall, 43, posted a photo of the iconic Sydney landmark on her Instagram on Friday as the UK, Australia and the world mourn the death of the monarch.

The former England Rugby pro, who met the Queen’s granddaughter in a Sydney bar in 2003, added a soft hearted emoji to the post.

The Opera House was illuminated with a portrait of Her Majesty until midnight on Friday, and will return to light up Saturday evening at 6.30pm.

Both Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Prime Minister Dominic Perrottet have announced that the Sails of the Opera House will hold a special tribute to the late monarch following his death on Thursday.

“The late Queen Elizabeth II played an important role for the Australian people during her reign and the lighting of the Sydney Opera House is a worthy tribute to the Australian people,” said Albanese.

Perrottet said it was a symbolic gesture as the Queen officially opened the Sydney Opera House in 1973.

Mike and Zara got married in 2011, three months after Zara’s cousin Prince William and Kate Middleton got married at Westminster Abbey.

The couple, who do not work as royalty and hold no titles, maintain a relatively low profile despite their status as professional athletes at the top of their respective fields.

Twentieth in line to the throne met Mike in 2003 in a Sydney bar, Mike was in Australia for the Rugby World Cup while Zara was taking a gap year.

The opening half was “drowning his sorrows” after being knocked out of the English team at the Manly Wharf bar when the two introduced each other to Prince Harry.

Over the next two decades, the couple married and welcomed three children, all building their success as a brand.

The couple, who live together on Princess Anne’s Gatecombe estate in Gloucestershire, welcomed their third child, Lucas Philip Tindall, in March 2021. He is the brother of Mia, eight, and Lena, four.

In May, Mike told Good Morning Britain that audiences think the queen is “invincible” ahead of the Jubilee celebrations.

“The queen is an incredible woman. I think people think she is invincible sometimes, but in the end you have to remember that she is 96, “she explained.

“He’s amazing at what he’s done in his life and I’m looking forward to celebrating it.”

The couple travels frequently to Australia, most recently bringing New Year 2020 to Sydney with a top tier crowd including Rebel Wilson.

Olympic equestrian Zara has previously said she is “considering moving to Australia”, telling Australian Women’s Weekly in 2019 that she would move “if an opportunity presented itself.”

“The beginning of January is gloomy here [in their home of Gloucestershire in England] so it’s nice to be able to go get some sun, ‘he said.

“I love the Australian lifestyle and being able to get up early, go to the beach, especially for the kids,” Mike told the magazine.