It’s not always what it’s cracked up to be.

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Zara Tindall wearing a blue hat and green coat looking to the side

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Zara Tindall might not have a title, but as the daughter of Princess Anne and granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth, she’s just as royal as they come. Tindall—who is celebrating her 44th birthday on May 15—recently opened up about her life in the spotlight, and while she said that the Royal Family goes “through the same struggles other people do,” she also admitted that her regal ancestry has made life slightly more difficult—especially when it comes to her equestrian career.

While speaking at a recent London Sporting Club lunch (via the Mirror), Princess Anne’s only daughter said that rather than giving her a leg up, her royal status has made competing more difficult.

“No one would believe me, but there were a lot of disadvantages,” she said of being a part of the Royal Family. “But the amazing thing about sport is that it is a level playing field. You have to run out and you have to perform.”

She added that no matter who you are, “If you want to get on team you have to win. You have to be consistent. You cant fake it.”

Zara Tindall wearing a blue jacket and helmet riding a brown horse

Zara Tindall, seen on her horse Class Affair, said her royal status hasn’t given her any advantages in the equestrian field.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall walking next to each other in suits and long coats

Zara coordinated with cousin Princess Eugenie in maroon at the March 2025 Cheltenham Festival.

(Image credit: Getty Images)

Zara Tindall sitting behind Prince William, Princess Charlotte and Prince George, who are waving

Tindall, seen at the 2022 Platinum Pageant, is close to cousin Prince William and his kids.

(Image credit: Getty Images)
Despite the extra pressure put on her as a royal, Zara won silver in the 2012 London Olympics. “My mum gave me the Olympic silver medal,” she told the audience. “She was so proud and it was amazing to get it from her.” Although lifelong equestrian Princess Anne once competed in the Olympics herself, she never took home a medal, making the moment even more special for the duo.

However, the awards ceremony delivered an unexpected dilemma for the equestrian, who shared, “I was like, ‘Do I kiss her or hug my mum?'”

When it comes to her numerous medals, the mom of three said they have a place of honor in her home with her former England rugby player husband, Mike Tindall. “We have a little bar in our house and they are hanging above all the alcohol.”

Zara also shared how her father, Mark Phillips—who has been divorced from Princess Anne since 1992—is much tougher on her when it comes to riding. “I used to go to one side and [mum] would say ‘don’t listen to your father,'” she said. “She is very level headed and calm. He was like ‘you need to do more of this. You need to do more of that.’ They had very different approaches.”

Kristin Contino is Marie Claire’s Senior Royal and Celebrity editor. She’s been covering royalty since 2018—including major moments such as the Platinum Jubilee, Queen Elizabeth II’s death and King Charles III’s coronation—and places a particular focus on the British Royal Family’s style and what it means.

Prior to working at Marie Claire, she wrote about celebrity and royal fashion at Page Six Style and covered royalty from around the world as chief reporter at Royal Central. Kristin has provided expert commentary for outlets including the BBC, Sky News, US Weekly, the Today Show and many others.

Kristin is also the published author of two novels, “The Legacy of Us” and “A House Full of Windsor.” She’s passionate about travel, history, horses, and learning everything she can about her favorite city in the world, London.