Prince Harry used to be close with the Royal Family (Image: Getty)
Prince Harry has one “enormous difference” to Mike Tindall when it comes to being an uncle to the royal children, a royal expert has claimed. Mr Tindall’s closeness to the Royal Family and particularly the Prince and Princess of Wales came back into the spotlight this week, after he gave an interview talking about Princess Catherine’s competitiveness and favourite party game.
Speaking to Woman & Home, Zara Tindall’s husband said: “Sport is rife throughout the [Royal] family – everyone is competitive. We did a podcast [with William, Catherine, and Princess Anne] on how much they love sport.”
He added: “I knew that the Princess of Wales was uber competitive because I’d seen her play a drinking game called beer pong, but normally we play Prosecco pong! She still plays it with us.”
Prince Harry and Mike Tindall in 2014 (Image: Getty)
Mr Tindall has always been pictured being close with William and Catherine’s children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.
His three children, Mia, Lena and Lucas, have also been pictured being close with their cousins.
Mr Tindall has previously been called the “fun uncle” in the Royal Family after Harry’s sensational departure in 2020. Technically, as Zara is Prince William‘s first cousin, the Tindall couple are second cousins once removed to the Wales children. But Mr Tindall has kept his honourary title due to the age difference and closeness with the Waleses.
In 2024, body language expert Judi James told Fabulous: “George’s original ‘fun uncle’ and adult playmate did that infamous bolt to the US, leaving a huge Harry-shaped gap in the young boy’s life that Mike has more than filled.
“Mike is the fun uncle everyone needs, but in the case of Prince George, whose destiny is all about duty and responsible behaviour, Mike’s presence in his life is completely invaluable.”
Now royal commentator Jennie Bond spoke to the Mirror and explained the key difference between the two men.
Mike Tindall with Prince Louis (Image: Getty)
The Tindalls are close with the Waleses (Image: Getty)
She said: “For the most part he [Mike] is very careful about what he says (although the anecdote about the ‘nibble my nuts’ underpants was a bit risqué!).
“The key difference is that Mike never offends or criticises the family and its traditions. He offers glimpses of life behind the scenes, but they are all harmless.
“He knows where to draw the line — and it’s all said with great good humour. Harry has overstepped the mark multiple times with his carping about royal life and with his pointed indiscretions, revealing the content of private conversations and arguments.”
The Duke of Sussex has previously spoken about being an uncle.
In his memoir, Spare, released in January 2023, Harry reminisced about the time the Prince and Princess of Wales welcomed their firstborn son in 2013.
He wrote: “I WAS AN UNCLE. Willy and Kate had welcomed their first child, George, and he was beautiful.”
Talking about his excitement for his new role, he added: “I couldn’t wait to teach him about rugby and Rorke’s Drift, flying and corridor cricket—and maybe give him a few pointers about how to survive life in the fishbowl.”