Mike Tindall, former rugby star and husband to Zara Phillips, is known for his laid-back attitude, especially regarding the ongoing controversies surrounding Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.
Married into the royal family since 2011, Tindall has chosen not to engage in the tabloid frenzy. His friend and podcast co-host, James Haskell, noted that Tindall would rather take on a 400-pound forward than dive into the chaos around the Sussex saga. This sentiment became apparent when Tindall made a playful jab at Prince Harry during a Rugby World Cup party in 2003, joking about pretending to hit the young prince, hinting that the rest of the royal family might have wanted to do it for real.
The story resurfaced in Omid Scobie’s book, which reignited online outrage, with Sussex supporters targeting Tindall. Despite the backlash, Tindall, or "Tins," as his friends call him, remained unfazed. As Haskell described on their podcast, The Good, The Bad, and The Rugby, Tindall "gives zero Fs" about such things. In true teammate fashion, Haskell defended Tindall, calling the online criticism nonsense and emphasizing that those unfamiliar with Tindall's humor often misinterpret his sarcasm. According to Haskell, any context in Tindall's banter with Harry disappeared when Scobie shared his version, but Tindall never tried to save face or apologize. His only response was a shrug, some hearty laughs with friends, and complete indifference.
Tindall's indifference to the Sussex saga became more apparent during a promotional tour for The Good, The Bad, and The Rugby. When asked about joining the royal family, Tindall downplayed the experience, saying it wasn't complicated for him. He remarked, "They were always nice to me, and I was always nice to them. Simple, really," subtly contrasting Meghan’s portrayal of the royal family as cold and unwelcoming. Tindall’s comments seemed to imply that he doesn’t see royal life as particularly challenging or dramatic.
Far from giving deep insights into royal family dynamics, Tindall prefers to keep things light-hearted. In one podcast segment, he humorously recalled expecting lavish trays of scones and pastries after marrying Zara but instead being offered a few broken Rich Tea biscuits and what looked like a half-eaten Malted Milk. This playful perspective stands in stark contrast to the Sussexes’ Netflix documentary, which depicted the emotional strain and cultural clashes Meghan faced within the royal family.
For instance, Meghan’s first meeting with Prince William and Catherine reportedly involved an awkward moment over something as simple as a hug. Meghan, a self-described "hugger," found the formality of the British royals disconcerting. However, Tindall views this formality not as something to dwell on but as tradition—something to accept rather than agonize over. His approach suggests a sense of humor and resilience that contrasts sharply with the more emotionally charged narratives shared by Meghan and Harry.
