Zara's look that says: You got away with it this time

By Richard Shears In Dunedin


Happier than ever: Zara Phillips and Mike Tindall looked happy and relaxed as they left the Bacchus restaurant in Dunedin, New Zealand


Whatever Mike Tindall said to his royal bride about his recent indiscretions, it seems to have worked.

He and Zara Phillips made a smiling appearance yesterday which suggested she had forgiven him for his flirtatious encounter with a mystery blonde.

The England rugby captain, in New Zealand for the World Cup, had been reunited with Zara on Thursday night when she arrived in Dunedin.

Off the hook: Zara and Mike were photographed leaving the Southern Cross Hotel together yesterday morning

Among friends: Zara and Mike Tindall have lunch with Bex Murray, in stripes


Yesterday they emerged from the team hotel - the Queen’s granddaughter in grey woollen poncho and jeans, her husband in T-shirt bearing the slogan Super Warriors.

They joined singer Bex Murray and another woman for lunch at a waterfront restaurant, where Tindall made a point of repeatedly flashing his wedding ring.

There had been suggestions that Miss Murray, a friend of Zara who sang at her 30th birthday party, was the mystery blonde - a rumour sparked because the England team had visited her family's ranch in the mountains the day after Tindall's drunken night out in Queenstown.

But Miss Murray has said she wasn't even in Queenstown that night - and her presence at the lunch table yesterday backed up her words.

Locked down: England's Mike Tindall runs at Romania's players during their Rugby World Cup match today

Cheering on her man: Zara Phillips watches Mike Tindall during today's England match against Romania


It seemed unlikely that newly-wed Zara would ask a woman who flirted with her husband to share her table.

Footage of 32-year-old Tindall with the blonde was posted last week on YouTube, leading to fevered speculation about what happened that night.

However the Daily Mail has spoken to a hotel staff member who was on duty in the early hours and confirmed that Tindall arrived back alone - and in no state for philandering.

'He was so drunk that he couldn't even stand when he got out of the taxi,' the worker told the Mail.

'I had to help him across the road to a private part of the hotel where the players were staying.'

The worker told the Mail that if Zara wanted confirmation of this, he would be happy to provide it - but her composure suggested that her husband's explanations and assurances have been enough.

Troublesome behaviour: Mike Tindall was seen getting his head kissed by a mystery blonde on September 11


source:dailymail