Former England rugby player Mike Tindall is known for his laid-back, down-to-earth vibe within the Royal Family. It’s no surprise, then, that he’s formed a close bond with Prince William, the future king.
Join our Breaking News and Top Stories WhatsApp community for all the latest news direct to your phone.
Tindall and Prince William’s Growing Bromance
Since Prince Harry and Meghan Markle relocated to the US, Tindall and Prince William have grown even tighter. Their bromance is often on display, through their in-jokes and Mike’s regular appearances alongside William at key royal events.
A Royal Invite to the King’s Garden Party
Earlier this year, Mike and his wife Zara—who happens to be William’s cousin—were invited to join William at the King’s Garden Party at Buckingham Palace. Alongside Princesses Beatrice and Eugenie, the pair stood by William’s side as he greeted 8,000 guests. Mike, true to form, kept the crowd entertained with his humour and charm.
“One Pint Willy” – Tindall’s Nickname for the Future King
Tindall has previously shared his cheeky nickname for Prince William—’One Pint Willy.’ On his podcast, The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, Mike joked that the nickname stuck because “he’s not the best of drinkers.”
William’s Playful Response
The nickname eventually got back to William, who handled it in good humour. “He apologised to me about that,” William said, adding with a laugh, “I was like, ‘Mike, when you say you’re not going to mention anyone’s nicknames, that doesn’t mean you can then mention my nickname. That’s not fair.’”
“Hates them” – Mike Tindall explains how he earned his royal medals
In response to public criticism after wearing the medals to The Queen’s funeral, Tindall spoke about his dislike for wearing them on his podcast, ‘The Good, The Bad & The Rugby’, which he hosts with fellow former rugby player James Haskell and Alex Payne.
He stated, “It has been an interesting one. We’ve had this discussion on the fact that I hate wearing them anyway.
“I think you would be the same because you class medals as a military honour. Any serviceman, I am deeply appreciative of your service, and I have not served anywhere and actually haven’t done anything to achieve those medals apart from being in the family.”
Tindall went on to explain why he was awarded the medals, saying: “So the jubilee medals, obviously I got married in 2011, so 2012 was the diamond jubilee, and you get a medal if you’re part of the family. The people who work in her household get a medal, and if you’ve been serving in the armed forces for five years and you’re actively in service, you get one too.
“So it’s harder for people in the military to actually get a jubilee medal unless they served for a long time. There’s been a lot more as you get a lot more celebrations later in life, so 50, 60, 70, that’s where I got one, and the other one was my MBE.”
The Three Richest Couples in World Rugby
From high-profile marriages to lucrative endorsements and television appearances, these rugby stars have built financial empires.
Here’s a look at three couples who have combined their sporting legacies with fame and fortune, amassing millions along the way.
Mike and Zara Tindall – £20m
Mike Tindall is known not just for his rugby prowess but for his royal connections. As the husband of Zara Phillips, the granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II, Tindall has become a prominent figure in British media.
Nicknamed “The Fridge” due to his imposing physique, Tindall was a stalwart on the rugby field, famously breaking his nose at least eight times over the course of his career. Since retiring from the sport, he’s made a name for himself in the entertainment world, appearing on popular reality shows such as I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here, Bear Grylls: Mission Survive, The Jump, Shark Cage, Celebrity Poker Club, and All-Star Poker Challenge.
Despite his success in sports and entertainment, Tindall’s wealth has been largely bolstered by his royal ties, with his net worth estimated at £20 million, according to British media.
