Zara's house husband

Dec 24, 2007, 13:30 GMT

11/21/2007 - Zara Phillips - The Red Cross London Ball - November 21, 2007 - The Room By The River - London, England © Solarpix / PR Photos

Britain's Zara Phillips' rugby star boyfriend Mike Tindall is happy to be a "house husband".

The former England rugby player - who met Zara during the semi-final of the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia - insists he would happily "stay at home with the kids" to allow Zara to continue her equestrian career.

He said: "I would happily not work, learn to cook and stay at home with the kids. As a champion showjumper Zara can go on for longer than I can. Why shouldn't I stay at home?"

Mike, 29, also gushed he would love Zara - the daughter of Princess Anne and ex-husband Mark Phillips - even if she was a checkout girl and revealed they are both desperate to settle down and start a family.

He said: "I do believe in fate. If I hadn't been dropped from the England team, I would never have met Zara. I am head over heels in love. Zara is the love of my life, no doubt.

"I would love her if she worked behind a checkout at Tescos. She just happens to be a princess.

"We want children but haven't set a date yet. In an ideal world, you would want to get married first. I am a traditional man, but I will be a good dad. I will get stuck in, get up in the middle of the night and change nappies. I love children."

The Gloucester rugby star, who lives with the 26-year-old princess on the Princess Royal's Gloucestershire estate, also dismissed rumours Zara's father does not approve of their relationship.

Mike said: "We are very good friends. We are spending Christmas at his house.

"The royals make it easy for me by being so normal. They are a very close family, no different from any other.

"You have to show respect for Princess Anne. We get on very well, I call her Ma'am."

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