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Mike Tindall speaks of his 'love' for the Queen as he describes 'eerie' Prince Philip funeral

Rebecca Taylor
·Royal Correspondent
·4-min read

Watch: Touching photos of Philip, the Queen and their family

Mike Tindall has said that his love for his grandmother-in-law, the Queen, has grown after seeing her sit alone during the funeral of Prince Philip.

Tindall, who is married to the Queen's oldest granddaughter Zara, attended the smaller funeral on Saturday as the Royal Family said goodbye to the Duke of Edinburgh.

He revealed he had found parts of the ceremony "eerie" particularly as there were no crowds inside Windsor Castle grounds.

Speaking about the service on 17 April on his podcast The Good, The Bad and the Rugby, he said: "It's been a difficult 10 days, I look back on the day as I think as eerie as it was with no crowds and social distancing and the way everything was I think it was the perfect day... how he would have liked it.

"No fuss, get on with it, and my love for the Queen was even better.

"She was sat there completely on her own, separated herself in terms of this is what the world is right now and 'I'm going to lead by example'.

"She's amazing, literally amazing.

WINDSOR, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England. Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born 10 June 1921, in Greece. He served in the British Royal Navy and fought in WWII. He married the then Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 and was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich by King VI. He served as Prince Consort to Queen Elizabeth II until his death on April 9 2021, months short of his 100th birthday. His funeral takes place today at Windsor Castle with only 30 guests invited due to Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. (Photo by UK Press Pool/UK Press via Getty Images)
Zara and Mike Tindall during the funeral of Prince Philip on 17 April. Zara is the Queen's granddaughter. (UK Press Pool/UK Press via Getty Images)
Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips attend the funeral service of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh inside St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, on April 17, 2021. - Philip, who was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years, died on April 9 aged 99 just weeks after a month-long stay in hospital for treatment to a heart condition and an infection. (Photo by Dominic Lipinski / POOL / AFP) (Photo by DOMINIC LIPINSKI/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
Mike and Zara Tindall sat in the back row inside St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle. (Dominic Lipinski/AFP)

"There were eerie moments, for the family it could have been his hat on his carriage, his gloves, or his hat on his coffin, the sword, the [bugle player], the piper, there were a lot of things that brought home memories.

"It was a sad day but it was very well run and he was very well looked after and hopefully he is looking down and he was happy with the day."

The Queen had to approve smaller scale plans for her husband's funeral when he died on 9 April because there are ongoing restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.

It meant only 30 mourners could attend, but all the Queen and the duke's grandchildren and children were able to be there.

Watch: Royal Baby: Zara and Mike Tindall Welcome Baby Lucas

Read more: Prince Harry's visit 'broke the ice' but 'outstanding issues not addressed' with Royal Family

She also invited his close friend Countess Mountbatten and three of his German relatives, who all had to isolate in the lead up to the ceremony.

Members of the Royal Family have been back out at engagements even though royal mourning continues until Thursday.

As the Queen turned 95 at Windsor, a day marked privately, her daughter, Zara's mother Princess Anne, visited three hospital in Gloucestershire, while Zara's cousin Prince William went to East London to meet Air Cadets.

Mike Tindall and Zara Phillips arrive for the funeral service of Britain's Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh in Windsor Castle in Windsor, west of London, on April 17, 2021. - Philip, who was married to Queen Elizabeth II for 73 years, died on April 9 aged 99 just weeks after a month-long stay in hospital for treatment to a heart condition and an infection. (Photo by Glyn KIRK / AFP) (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
Mike and Zara Tindall as they arrived for the funeral. They were able to sit by each other, but the Queen had to sit alone. (Glyn Kirk/AFP)
WINDSOR, ENGLAND - APRIL 17: Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall during the funeral of Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh at Windsor Castle on April 17, 2021 in Windsor, England. Prince Philip of Greece and Denmark was born 10 June 1921, in Greece. He served in the British Royal Navy and fought in WWII. He married the then Princess Elizabeth on 20 November 1947 and was created Duke of Edinburgh, Earl of Merioneth, and Baron Greenwich by King VI. He served as Prince Consort to Queen Elizabeth II until his death on April 9 2021, months short of his 100th birthday. His funeral takes place today at Windsor Castle with only 30 guests invited due to Coronavirus pandemic restrictions. (Photo by Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
The couple recently welcomed their third child, who they gave the middle name Philip. (Chris Jackson/WPA Pool/Getty Images)

The Tindalls do not carry out royal engagements but they do attend events like Trooping the Colour and Royal Ascot with other members of the Royal Family.

Zara in particular shared a love of horses with her grandparents. Prince Philip took up carriage driving from 1970, while Zara is a medal winning Olympian.

In the days after Philip's death, Tindall shared a short tribute to him on his Instagram, writing: "It’s been a very sad week but it has given us time to reflect on great memories and stories both personal and shared. A devoted family man who we will forever miss but always love."

It was accompanied by a never before seen picture, taken by the Duchess of Cambridge, of his oldest daughter Mia sharing a meal with her great-grandfather.

They welcomed their third child just a few weeks ago, and gave him the middle name Philip, after the Duke of Edinburgh and Tindall's father.

Watch: The wonderful life of Prince Philip, The Duke of Edinburgh