Zara Tindall is celebrating her 44th birthday today (Thursday, May 15), and royal fans have uncovered a sweet little detail about her relationship with husband Mike Tindall—a one-word nickname he’s long used to describe her, and its touching meaning.

The daughter of Princess Anne is likely marking her special day with her husband, former rugby player Mike Tindall. And now, fans are revisiting a charming moment between the couple that surfaced in a YouTube video from 2023, when Mike shared a unique term of endearment he’s always used for Zara—though it’s far from a traditional pet name.

In the opening of an episode of Mike Drop, Mike’s podcast with Magic Millions, he asked Zara if she was looking forward to joining him on the show. Her response was a cheeky “no.”

Mike laughed and said, “You know how in depth it’ll be. You’ll be scraping through the layers.”

“I’ve always described you as an onion,” he added. “Lots of layers, so we’ll try and peel back a few today, shall we?”

This lighthearted exchange follows recent comments Zara made about the challenges even royal families face. Speaking candidly at a London Sporting Club lunch last week, she said, as quoted by The Sun:

“It is very hard to see from the outside but, 100 per cent, it is a family that is still going through the same struggles other people do.

hether they are relationships, obviously it is very easy to see every day. We’re still very supportive of each other.”

Zara, currently 22nd in line to the throne, also shared a humorous anecdote about her view during King Charles III’s coronation in 2023.
“I did not see it actually, where I was sat. He was around the corner. I could not see,” she said with a laugh, joking that she may have been seated in the “cheap seats.”

Mike and Zara first met in 2003 and were married in 2011 in a beautiful ceremony at Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, attended by about 400 guests. Zara wore an elegant ivory silk gown by Stewart Parvin, and the reception took place at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

The couple now have three children together: Mia Grace (11), Lena Elizabeth (6), and Lucas Philip (4).

Fans were quick to praise the couple after watching the interview, admiring their playful dynamic and strong connection.

“You both compliment each other beautifully,” one viewer wrote. “[The Royal Family] is thriving with all these powerful Royal couples, making a huge difference to inspire future generations in this crazy world we live in.”

“Brilliant interview. Such a deep love they share. Thank you,” added another.

A third fan commented, “Great interview! Informative, fun and I really like your chemistry as just honest hard working committed people! Well done!”