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All about Zara and Mike Tindall’s special connection to Australia

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Zara Tindall wins a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics
Zara Tindall wins a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics
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British royal Zara Tindall and her husband Mike visit Australia every year to attend the annual Magic Millions Carnival as Zara is a patron of the organisation.

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2025 is no different, and the couple have arrived Down Under!

In an exclusive interview with HELLO! Zara shared comments on her love for Australia.

Zara Tindall Mike Tindall Australia

Mike and Zara have made their love affair with Australia no secret. (Credit: (Instagram)

“We have always loved Australia and it is like a home from home for us. We have been coming to Queensland for so long now it has become a tradition for the start of the year – and although the Magic Millions carnival is busy with so much going on, being by the beach, with like-minded horse enthusiasts celebrating all things equine – we couldn’t ask for a better way to start the year,” Zara told HELLO!

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“(We love) coming out of the cold winter and into the warm heat, and the incredible water temperatures. The Gold Coast is just a great place to be – it’s got a bit of everything, from beaches to horses and everything else in between,” Zara continued.

The Magic Millions event is an Australian Thoroughbred racehorse auction house which hosts a number of star-studded events throughout the year, notably the world-famous Gold Coast Yearling Sale at Surfers Paradise in January.

Featuring the cream of the Australasian yearling crop, the world class event attracts horse racers from around the world as they bid and sell the next generation of racehorse talent.

The event also attracts A-listers from across the world, with the British couple rubbing shoulders with the likes of Chris Hemsworth and wife Elsa Pataky.

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Zara Tindall Mike Tindall Australia

Mike and Zara Tindall sure do love the summer sun in Australia! (Credit: (Getty)

It comes as no surprise that Zara and ex-rugby player husband Mike attend the event given Zara’s track record as a renowned and accomplished equestrian. They have also been ambassadors for the event for the last decade.

The 20th in line of succession to the British throne also often partakes in a game of polo whilst at the event every year.

Speaking at the 2023 event, Mike said that it was ”lovely” to return to Australia once more.

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”It’s lovely to have a break from the bleak January in the UK. It’s nice to come back down and see all our friends again. We love the ambassadors and we love getting together,” he said.

Zara also added that coming to the Magic Millions was like ”coming back home.”

”It really is like a family and it’s been hard not being here for two years,” she said in reference to the event being cancelled due to COVID-19.

Zara Tindall horse riding

Zara is an accomplished equestrian and has even won a silver medal for the prestigious sport at the Olympics. (Credit: (Getty)

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Following their 2023 trip down under, Mike Tindall revealed if and when he and wife Zara will be making a permanent move to Australia following a lifelong love affair with the country.

Speaking with HELLO! at the Legends of Rugby Awards in February 2023, Mike said he would ”never say never,” to living in Australia full time.

”It’s not on the cards, people try to say we almost did but we never almost did. It’s never been an actual thing where we’ve looked for a house or anything.

”We love Australia a lot and we love the lifestyle, I think it’s brilliant for kids but whether we could actually move there, we’re not sure.”

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Zara Tindall horse riding

At the 2023 Magic Millions event Zara raced down Surfers Paradise on a thoroughbred of her own. (Credit: (Getty)

Not only do Zara and Mike love the Australian lifestyle, but the couple actually met right here in 2003, completely by chance.

Because their love story began down under, Zara and Mike have a strong connection to the country and they make the effort to visit every year not only for the Magic Millions event, but also so they can relive the magical moment when they met.

“We try to get back to have lunch at the place where we met whenever we can,” Mike told HELLO Magazine in June 2024.

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“We love Sydney and have loads of friends there, so it’s been an important city in our lives.”

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