'I won't say I get it right all the time': Mike Tindall opens up on 'difficult' moments in his marriage to Zara Tindall

Mike and Zara Tindall have enjoyed a 15-year-strong marriage - and counting - but the former rugby pro has revealed that it’s not always easy.

In a relatable and candid interview with the Talk Horse podcast, Mike opened up about navigating the more difficult moments with Zara, how he tries to help her deal with her "mother’s guilt" when she’s juggling her competitions and her parenting, and what the pair are good at when it comes to confrontation.

Mike told the podcast, "I think neither of us necessarily chase out confrontation until it happens. That's sometimes not the best way of doing it. But then when it happens, I think we're probably pretty good at actually talking about it.

"You've just got to try and muddle your way through. It's never easy, is it?"

He added, "I think it all depends on the scenario. I think it's very easy when it's around sport or whether it's around the animals and the kids, but obviously other nuances become more difficult."

The former England Rugby athlete then admitted to something that many spouses are likely guilty of - winding Zara up on purpose. With his trademark humour, he confessed that sometimes “you just want to annoy someone, just for the sake of it. I probably do that a bit too much”.

Despite trying to annoy his wife, Mike did also offer an insight into the ways he supports Zara as she continues to compete at a professional level in her equestrian sports. Zara - who recently won her first major eventing medal in 20 years - is no stranger to the mum "guilt" that many working parents feel.

Mike shared, "You forget sometimes life is hard when kids come along and you try to still compete. Fortunately, when Mia came along, that was my last year, so I haven't been a professional athlete whilst the kids have been around."

Championing Zara’s ability to juggle her sporting prowess and their three children - Mia, Lena and Lucas - he added, "You've got to try and play a support role at the same time because mums do have mother's guilt. It's a thing.

"And it can be really hard at times. I won't say I get it right all the time, but you've got to try and do it whatever ways you can."

When Zara has a big event approaching, Mike knows how important it is to give her her space as she requires “massive focus”, but he also tries to bring some lightness to it.

"I try and make her laugh every now and again to remind her you don't have to be that serious."