Mike Tindall shares the messy reality of homeschooling daughter Mia

Watch: Zara and Mike Tindall are expecting their third child

Many parents breathed a sigh of relief in September when schools reopened for all children after months of homeschooling - none more so than Mike Tindall.

But the former rugby player, now married to the Queen’s granddaughter, has found himself back at the books with his two children during the third coronavirus lockdown.

It looked like the Tindall school was teaching art on Wednesday afternoon, as Mike shared a photo of what had happened when his daughters Mia, seven, and Lena, two, were let loose with the face paints.

Covered in black paint across his nose and forehead, and with a bright orange beard, Mike captioned the image: “Feel like I succeeded in home schooling arts and crafts today!! Any movies out there need a creepy villain I think I fit the bill!”

Mike also used a long-nose emoji suggesting he didn’t quite believe his own claims of success.

Read more: Countess of Wessex is emulating the Queen as she steps up royal duties

Back in May 2020 when schools returned, Mike likened himself to Forrest Gump sprinting away as he dropped Mia off for class.

He admitted he had found homeschool “frustrating” and said it was a “no-brainer” to send her back as soon as they could.

Mike is married to Zara, who is Princess Anne’s daughter, and so a granddaughter of the Queen.

Despite her royal birth, she does not have a title, as Anne declined the offer of one.

Mike and Zara announced she is pregnant with their third child in December, with Mike sharing the news on his rugby podcast.

Mike has admitted he would like a son this time.

The family live in a home on Anne’s estate in Gatcombe Park in Gloucestershire, which was a wedding present from the Queen.

Read more: Holly Willoughby shares photo capturing the reality of home schooling and parents can relate

Speaking on The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast, Tindall added: “I’d like a boy this time, I’ve got two girls, I would like a boy.

“I’ll love it whether a boy or a girl – but please be a boy.”

Zara has previously spoken about having miscarriages, revealing she had one in 2016 and another in 2018, before she was pregnant with Lena.

Her royal cousin Princess Eugenie is also pregnant, meaning 2021 will bring two more great-grandchildren for the Queen.

Watch: Mike Tindall watches The Crown