Prince William has turned to Mike Tindall for support, in the absence of his younger brother, Prince Harry, a royal commentator has claimed.
Zara Tindall’s husband was recently pictured having a sweet interaction with the Prince of Wales’s son, Prince George, on Christmas Day and appears to have a close bond with the family that he’s showcased on multiple occasions.
Back in September Prince William and Princess Kate also appeared on Mike’s rugby-themed podcast, The Good, The Bad, and The Rugby, where Mike teased the couple about their competitive nature.
The ex-rugby star even revealed his nickname for the Prince of Wales when he appeared on Rob Burrow’s podcast last month.
He said: “For the Prince of Wales, he is known as ‘One-Pint Willy’. He is known to me as ‘One-Pint Willy’ because he’s not the best of drinkers.
“Coming from a sport where it’s built on the social aspect and a couple of beers being sunk quite often. So, that is one that I will definitely give away for the Prince of Wales, One-Pint Willy, there you go.”
Now royal commentator Dickie Arbiter analysed Mike and William’s blossoming “bromance”.
He told the Telegraph: “Mike is a pretty straight guy. He’s down to earth, and William is too.
“Put aside [William’s] role in state occasions, where he has to maintain a certain decorum; the rest of the time, if he goes to a rugby or football match he’s in there cheering with the rest of the fans.”
The expert added that both William and Mike are “likeable guys” and Zara’s longstanding closeness to her cousin has “rubbed off” on her husband.
He said: “We’ve seen [this] time and again in William and Mike’s interactions. They are a proper family. They’re not playing at it.
“They are two peas from the same pod, they’ve just had different upbringings.”
Meanwhile, a royal biographer claimed Mike’s appeal to Prince William is through his down-to-earth nature.
Ingrid Seward said: “Mike Tindall has that kind of sportsman camaraderie that would especially appeal to William, who was once a wild boy himself.
“Mike gets funnier under the influence of alcohol and can be totally outrageous.
“William cannot do this anymore as he is too aware of his responsibilities. But he can live vicariously through Mike.”
