Mike Tindall has been dubbed “the brother Prince William needs”, despite their slightly different backgrounds. While both attended expensive public schools – Eton for William and Wakefield’s Queen Elizabeth Grammar for Tindall – the two have bonded recently as the rugby player has blended seamlessly into royal life.
Their friendship came to light over the Christmas period as photographers snapped the pair in Norfolk – one photo of Tindall embracing Prince George indicating just how much he fits in. Nevertheless, Tindall and William are somewhat different characters.
The first is known for his binge-drinking and laddish behaviour as a former rugby player, while Wills – as he is affectionately known – is regarded as a football fan and someone who can’t handle a drink. At the Christmas Day Service, Tindall was seen being a fun uncle figure to William’s children, reports the Telegraph.
Royal expert Rosa Silverman described how he had “filled the void” created by the departed Prince Harry, and that he was someone William could “confide him”. Tindall even mentioned Prince William in an astonishing bit of chat that earned him three lad points on former rugby pro Rob Burrow’s podcast.
Mike explained how William had earned the hilarious nickname of “One Pint Willy” because he’s “not the best of drinkers”. Tindall then realised he might have been a bit too much of a legend and quickly apologised: “Oh my God. It’s out there now. Sorry, sir.”
According to Silverman, Tindall even unleashed some incredibly unique banter on Prince William at his 27th birthday party. Upon seeing the future king, he greeted him by saying “how’s it going baldy?”, to which Will replied “What’s it to you, fatty?” The great banter has really made the pair accessible to the whole of the country.
Silverman says that the constant teasing is reminiscient of the relationship William had with Harry when the pair were young. Royal expert and former Palace press secretary Dickie Arbiter said both Tindall and William are “pretty straight guys” who are “down to earth” – and that makes their friendship so special.
A separate royal expert says Tindall has somehow “managed to find the line between being fairly indiscreet but so charming with it that nobody minds in the slightest. Even his high-risk turns on reality TV have ended up as an asset to the royals: if he likes them, the public senses, they must be all right.”
