Mike Tindall reveals what marrying into the royal family was really like casting doubt on Meghan’s claims

Mike Tindall has revealed he found joining the Royal family ‘easy’ and insisted it was all down to him ‘being nice to them’.

The former England rugby star, who is married to King Charles‘s niece Zara, is known for his close relationships with several of his wife’s family and has revealed it was ‘easy’ to fit in with the royals.

In a new interview with The Telegraph to promote his upcoming book, The Good, the Bad & the Rugby – Unleashed, with James Haskell and Alex Payne, the former rugby player said joining royal life was ‘simple really’.

In the book – which is set to be released 24 October – Mike, 45, recalled joining the Royal family after marrying Princess Anne’s daughter, Zara in 2011.

He wrote: wrote ‘Believe it or not, marrying into the Royal family was pretty easy for me. They were always nice to me, and I was always nice to them. Simple really.’

Mike Tindall pictured with his wife, Zara, who is King Charles’ niece, earlier this year. The former rugby union player has revealed he found joining the Royal family ‘easy’ and insisted it was all down to him ‘being nice to them’

The long awaited book is co-written by the three podcasts hosts and documents their four year tenure on the show, reflecting on highs, lows, and memorable interviews with Royal family members.

The ‘easy’ marriage of lives is in stark contrast with others, namely Prince Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle who formerly stepped down from all royal duties, alongside her husband in 2020 – less than two years after she joined the family. 

Meanwhile, Meghan’s transition into royal life was marred by tense relations with the family, including her eventually resulting in the couple’s split from their roles as senior royals.

The American actress was reported to have a ‘tense’ and troubled relationship to her sister-in-law, Kate Middleton, following alleged disagreements surrounding Meghan’s choice of flower girls’ dresses at her wedding in 2018.

 In comparison, Mike is seen to have nurtured his relationships with his in-laws, including with Prince William and his eldest son, George. 

During the interview, Mike also revealed the close bond he shares with Prince George, 11,  the first born son of the Prince and Princess of Wales. 

The rugby fanatic is known to have a close relationship with the young royal – and was snapped affectionately ruffling his hair during December’s Christmas day service.  

Mike noted that George ‘loves’ playing football and is a huge Aston Villa fan like his father Prince William. 

The former rugby union player, (pictured with Prince William in 2017), is known for his close relationships with several of his wife’s family and has insisted it was ‘easy’ to fit in with the royals

Mike Tindall has revealed he and Prince George ‘play football in the garden’ together. Pictured in December

Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Kate Middleton pictured. The ‘easy’ marriage of lives is in stark contrast with other’s, namely Prince Harry’s wife, Meghan Markle who formerly stepped down from all royal duties, alongside her husband in 2020 – less than two years after she joined the family

Meanwhile, Meghan’s transition into royal life was marred by tense relations with the family, including her eventually resulting in the couple’s split from their roles as senior royals

George loves his football. I’ve played numerous times in the garden with him. 

‘He’s passionate about Aston Villa, too. Wherever he is, he’ll sit down and watch that game.’

And giving an insight into the Princess of Wales‘s favourite sport, he added: ‘They’re just a family who love sport. Catherine loves her running.’ 

The Princess of Wales has at previous engagements enjoyed abseiling, tennis, football and even a foot race with her husband Prince William and his now-estranged brother Prince Harry. 

In recent weeks, she has been making a slow but steady return to engagements after completing her chemotherapy treatment, visiting victims in Southport with her husband and meeting teenager Liz Hatton at Windsor Castle.   

Football fan George has attended a series of football games with his father in the past, including an Aston Villa game in April, and the Euros final in July. 

Prince William is known to enjoy a ‘bromance’ with Tindall – so it comes as no surprise that Mike is also close to his eldest son.

Speaking to The Times earlier this year, one royal source dubbed Mike, 45, and Zara, 43, the ‘glue of their generation of royals, no matter how serious the occasion’.

‘They can help take the family’s mind off the gravity of what is going on,’ they added.

‘While some family members can be very ‘royal’, Mike is just himself and is relaxed and playful with George, Charlotte and Louis.

‘It helps that they all have children around the same age that they can fool around together privately and bring a sense of normality to what is a stressful situation for everyone involved.’  

Though Zara and her husband Mike are not officially working royals, they still seem to be working their way towards Charles’s inner circle

Zara in particular also holds a close bond with her cousins Eugenie and Beatrice, who she often hugs and pecks at high-profile royal events

Mike interviewed William for his podcast – The Good, The Bad and The Rugby – last year.

There, the Prince of Wales revealed that Zara’s victory in equestrian eventing was the only occasion he’d been moved to tears while watching sports.

During the discussion at Windsor Castle, the father-of-three said: ‘The only time I’ve ever cried when watching sport was when Zara won I think it was the European championship.’

Also taking part in the podcast were William’s wife, Kate and Zara’s mother – William’s aunt – Princess Anne, herself an accomplished equestrian.

Reflecting on Princess Anne’s episode in the book, James Haskell wrote: ‘Princess Anne knew more about sport than almost anyone I’ve ever met.’

William, along with his brother Harry, were raised in Gloucestershire, just a few miles from where Zara and her brother Peter Phillips grew up. The four royal cousins were often spotted chatting and joking at royal events.

Mike Tindall and William may seem like an unlikely pairing, but the pair are often snapped sharing a joke at royal events – and can’t resist a hug when they see each other in public.

William, heir to the throne, was educated at Eton before completing his degree at St Andrews. He prefers football to rugby, which was more his brother Harry’s sport.

Pictured: Prince William, Prince Harry, Princess Eugenie, Princess Beatrice, Peter Phillips, Zara Tindall, Lady Louise Windsor and James, Viscount Severn arrive to hold a vigil in honour of Queen Elizabeth II at Westminster Hall on September 17, 2022

Mike attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, in Wakefield becoming a professional rugby player for Bath at the age of 18.

Yet the pair are also hands-on fathers and enjoy catching up at the polo or the races, where they often give each other warm greetings like the one caught on camera.

William and Mike have been photographed looking pally at several public engagements, with the ex-England rugby player going along to support the royal at polo matches in the past.

It’s clear the pair are on such good terms that Mike felt comfortable enough to poke fun at the future King in a recent podcast, saying he calls the heir to the throne ‘One Pint Willy’ because ‘he is not the best of drinkers’.

Both have also been with their wives for almost 20 years – Tindall was 25 when he and Zara were introduced at the 2003 World Cup. William and Kate met at university.