British royal Zara Phillips talks about Mike Tindall

Nov 18, 2005, 15:03 GMT

British royal Zara Phillips has told of her love for rugby ace Mike Tindall.

The stunning blonde daughter of Princess Anne says she and her boyfriend are "best mates" - although she refused to confirm whether they will walk down the aisle, joking: "Do you see a ring?"

Tindall has also reciprocated his love for Zara and hsas fondly recalled the moment the pair first met during the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2003.

He is quoted in Britain's The Times newspaper as saying: "I had been dropped for the semi-final and was on a bit of a low. A few of the lads from the team met up with Prince Harry that evening. Zara was there too, but we did not really get to know each other."

The 27-year-old revealed things progressed after the World Cup final, and claims he wooed Zara with "pure charm".

He added: "Harry had asked one of the lads to text him so that he could come and celebrate with us. He brought along Zara and Peter, her brother, and we got to know each other better.

"After I got back from Australia she invited me to Gatcombe Park."

Tindall admitted he was terrified when he first met the 24-year-old's highly-esteemed parents.

He said: "Of course I was nervous.

"But Zara's mum is a legend. My mates in Wakefield are forever asking how on earth I fit in among the royal family. But they are really down to earth. I feel completely at ease in their company."

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