Zara Tindall is understood to be standing strong with her husband Mike during this difficult phase in his life, but there is another heartbreak weighing him down.
Her family is hit by an upsetting news and it is time for Zara to step up, even as the royals suffer an onslaught of controversies.
Princess Anne’s son-in-law has previously mentioned that his father was suffering from Parkinson’s for more than two decades, hence, Mike and Zara’s children, Mia, Lena and Lucas, never got to see their grandfather in his prime.
“Mike’s putting on a brave front for the rest of the family, but he’s had a long time to prepare for this moment,” a source told New Idea.
“In so many ways, there’s a sense of relief that Phil’s finally pain-free. All his dad’s problems are over and it’s up to him to help the family pick up the pieces.”
They continued, “What does choke Mike up is that his dad’s been sick for so long, Zara and his kids have never seen him in his prime. He was Mike’s hero and it’s been a joy to connect with people paying their respects who remember him at his best.
This is the time Zara would be needed the most by her husband as he quietly deals with emotional turmoil.
“It’s a very sad time for the family, but Mike’s now got more time to continue his fight to find a cure – especially for the late-in-stage patients like his dad.”
Meanwhile, Mike’s mother, who was a social worker, was the primary carer for her sick husband. And she is “beside herself”. Although, Mike and his brother Ian are “keeping a close eye on her”.
“She’s been Phil’s caregiver for over 20 years so she has a whole new existence to adapt to,” the insider said
2026-09-24 13:18:00
