Mike Tindall delivered a playful jab at Prince Harry during a recent appearance at the Hay Festival in Powys, recalling the Duke of Sussex “when he was fun.” The former rugby international made the comment while speaking alongside podcast co-hosts James Haskell and Alex Payne, as they joked about Tindall’s connections to the royal family.
Tindall expressed mock surprise that Haskell, his ex-rugby teammate, hadn’t managed to embarrass himself at the wedding of Zara Tindall, Mike’s wife and Prince Harry’s cousin. “A lot of other people managed that way better than you—like Harry, when he was fun,” he quipped, referring to the Duke’s earlier, more carefree days. Notably, Prince Harry is the godfather to Tindall’s second daughter, Lena.
The trio also shared humorous insights into Mike’s royal access. Payne joked, “He’s got his own bedroom at Buckingham Palace,” to which Tindall responded with a wry smile, “Opposite end to Andrew, though.” He revealed that producers advised steering clear of discussing Prince Andrew during the recorded event, adding a layer of backstage awareness to their lighthearted banter.
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Tindall also humorously claimed that taxpayers had footed the bill for his corrective nose surgery—a nod to his rugby injuries—and joked, “It’s got the royal warrant if you look inside it.”
Turning to future plans, Payne highlighted how Tindall’s royal links could benefit Richmond Rugby Club, where they aim to produce a television series. He mentioned ambitions to bring Mick Jagger, who lives locally, back to the club for a charity gig, as well as the possibility of involving the Princess of Wales in supporting the team. Though these ideas may still be “pipe dreams,” Tindall’s blend of humor and royal connections keeps the spotlight firmly on both his sporting and family worlds.