Mike Tindall's heartwarming confession about daughter Mia being 'saving grace' during tragedy
Mia is Zara and Mike Tindall's oldest daughter
As Mia Grace Tindall celebrates her 12th birthday on January 17, her dad, former rugby star Mike Tindall, once opened up about how his eldest daughter helped carry him and wife Zara through one of the most painful chapters of their lives.
In 2017, following Zara’s heartbreaking miscarriage, Mike spoke candidly about the emotional toll the loss took on their marriage, but also about how little Mia, then just three years old, was the light that got them through it.
Mike Tindall opens up about ‘saving grace’ Mia Tindall
“The saving grace for us has been Mia, our daughter, who is now 3,” Mike told The Sunday Times at the time.
“However down we feel, she will come running up in our faces. I can take her swimming, and I can take her to Ninja Tots. You’ll never be able to see her there because she disappears in a puff of smoke.”
Mike and Zara opted for a more private family life outside of royal titles. But their children, Mia, Lena, and Lucas, have still captured the public’s hearts.
Mia was born on January 17, 2014, at Gloucestershire Royal Hospital. Mike described the moment as the “best day of [his] life” in a birth announcement tweet.
The saving grace for us has been Mia, our daughter, who is now 3.
Now 23rd in line to the throne, Mia has grown into a lively presence at royal events.
From being a bridesmaid at Princess Eugenie’s wedding to playfully teasing cousin Prince George during the 2022 Sandringham Christmas service, she’s shown both charm and confidence beyond her years.
“We’ve got a good little crew of royal youngsters going on there now,” Mike told HELLO! in 2016. “They all seem to get on and enjoy each other’s company. It’ll be good to watch them grow up together.”
Mia’s bond with Princess Kate and Charlotte
Most recently, Mia melted hearts during the 2025 royal Christmas Day walkabout.
One touching photo captured a smiling Princess Catherine gazing down at Mia, who beamed up at the Princess of Wales after the church service at St Mary Magdalene.
“Such a tender Christmas moment as the Princess of Wales shares a sweet look with Mia Tindall,” one royal watcher gushed on X (formerly Twitter).
Mia also has a strong bond with her younger cousin, Princess Charlotte.
Mia and Charlotte have often been spotted side by side at royal events. But it’s their sweet interactions during the past few Christmas Day walkabouts that have truly captured attention.
In 2023, the young cousins were seen exiting the church together at Sandringham, smiling and chatting. The warm scene repeated itself in both 2024 and 2025.
Mia and Charlotte were photographed giggling and talking as they left the service.
Their closeness isn’t just for the cameras. During a 2021 appearance on Good Morning Britain, Mia’s dad, Mike Tindall, spoke about how the royal children have grown up side by side.
“Our family growth has sort of been intertwined with theirs,” he said. “The kids are very close, which is great. They’re always going to have cousins that they can grow up with.”
Read more: Kate Middleton shares sweet moment with Mia Tindall on Christmas Day
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