Zara dumped All Black star to marry England legend Mike Tindall

Long before she became one half of rugby’s favourite royal couple, the daughter of Princess Anne had been linked to a top jockey and even an All Blacks flyer.

Here’s the rundown on Zara’s famous exes before she teamed up with Tins…

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Zara’s first long-term romance was with champion jockey Richard Johnson, with the pair together from 1998 to 2003. They met while working at David Johnson’s stables, where both were riding out – with Zara also mucking in as a groom.

Speaking back in 2002, Richard said their relationship  as they moved in the same circles. He joked that Zara once found him  – a rare claim in jump racing.

Things got serious fast. They even shared a plush home in the Cotswolds before calling it quits in 2003. Despite the split, the pair have remained friendly, even being spotted chatting at an event in 2016 while Zara was pregnant.

Richard later married Fiona Chance in 2007 and the couple now have three children. Fiona is the daughter of trainer Noel Chance – the man behind Johnson’s Cheltenham Gold Cup hero, Looks Like Trouble (who now reportedly enjoys retirement as a family “pet”).

Before Mike Tindall entered the picture, Zara was linked to Caleb Ralph, one of the All Blacks’ most electric outside backs of the early 2000s.

Their connection sparked around 2003–2004, with the flying Kiwi reportedly spending both Christmas and New Year with the royal — even skipping his sister-in-law’s wedding to stay by her side.

Ralph, known for his pace, finishing ability and versatility across the backline, was a key figure during one of New Zealand rugby’s most dominant eras.

He earned 14 caps for the All Blacks, scoring 30 points, and carved out a long Super Rugby career with the Crusaders and Blues, finishing with over 130 Super Rugby appearances — one of the highest tallies of his time. A serial title-winner, Ralph helped the Crusaders lift multiple championships and became renowned for his durability and consistency.

Despite his impressive rugby pedigree, Ralph reportedly found the royal spotlight overwhelming. The pair tried to keep their relationship low-key, but the media attention followed wherever they went. During a 2004 press conference, the winger was asked outright about Zara. His only admission?
“I have been in England and I did see her.”
A classic All Black sidestep when things got personal.

Now 45 and retired from professional rugby, Ralph is believed to be single, living a much quieter life than during his high-flying rugby days.