Could Mike Tindall be king one day? Here’s where he is on the line of succession
Mike Tindall #MikeTindall
As Mike competes to become King of the Jungle – could he also one day be King of Britain? (Picture: ITV)
Former rugby player Mike Tindall is currently Down Under, awaiting the start of the new series of I’m a Celebrity.
The athlete will be taking part in the show’s 22nd series tonight, alongside the likes of Boy George, Charlene White, Babatunde Aleshe, and Sue Cleaver.
As Mike competes to become King of the Jungle – many at home are wondering whether he could also one day be King of Britain.
Here is everything you need to know about the royal’s place in the line of succession.
Could Mike Tindall be King?
Technically speaking, no – even if his wife Zara Tindall, Princess Anne’s daughter and King Charles III’s niece, became Queen.
Let us explain by first looking at where Zara currently sits on the line of succession.
Mike’s mother-in-law is the Princess Royal (Picture: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images)
As the daughter of Princess Anne, the late Queen Elizabeth’s only daughter, Zara was sixth in line at the time of her birth in 1981.
However, with the birth of her cousin, Prince William, the year after in 1982, she started to slip down the ranks. This is because William was the son of Prince Charles, the direct heir to the late Queen.
With more births, including William’s brother, Prince Harry and Beatrice and Eugenie – their cousins from Prince Andrew – Zara continued to slip lower.
In 2022, with all children accounted for, Zara is currently 20th in line to the throne.
Zara, along with her cousins, stood guard at the Queen’s coffin earlier this year (Picture: AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
So, before we even look at what that means for Mike Tindall, either a lot of abdications or a horrific tragedy would need to take place for Zara to come close to being Queen.
Now, even if Zara did become Queen, Mike wouldn’t be King – the same way Prince Philip wasn’t a King despite being married to Queen Elizabeth II (the UK’s longest-serving monarch) for 74 years.
The title of King is only given to a monarch who inherits the throne and can reign themselves. So, a direct heir by blood.
Mike would likely become a Prince Consort – as was Philip’s official title.
What does the title ‘Consort’ mean?
‘Consort’ refers simply to the spouse of a ruling monarch.
They do not have any ruling power, with their main duty being to provide support and companionship to the ruling monarch, as well as play an important role in public engagements.
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However, it is possible that he’d be granted use of the title King Consort – as Camilla, Queen Consort has been allowed to use.
Luckily for Mike, his odds of being King of the Jungle are much better. Ladbrokes currently have him as the 3/1 early favourite to win.
I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out Of Here! 2022 starts tonight at 9pm on ITV.
MORE : Mike Tindall admits leaving wife Zara and three children behind will be ‘the hardest bit’ of I’m A Celebrity
MORE : Mike Tindall confirms conversations were had with the royal family ahead of jungle stint
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