James Haskell, a close friend of Zara and Mike Tindall, has shared unfiltered views on the Royal Family, describing them as “dysfunctional”.
The former England rugby star, who earned 77 caps and played as a flanker for Wasps, co-hosts the popular podcast The Good, the Bad & the Rugby alongside Tindall and Alex Payne.
Tindall, a beloved figure within the royal fold, became part of the monarchy in 2011 after marrying Zara Phillips, the daughter of Princess Anne and eldest niece of King Charles III.
The couple shares three children – Mia, 10, Lena, 6, and Lucas, 3 – and frequently attends royal events, including annual Christmas celebrations at Sandringham.
Haskell, who was a guest at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s 2018 wedding, revealed his mixed impressions of the royals during an interview with The Times.
“I’ve spent time with the royals. Some aren’t as great as others,” he said.
“They do amazing work – but they’re also a modern family that’s very dysfunctional.”
Despite the critique, the 39-year-old underscored his support for the monarchy.
“To those who want to get rid of the monarchy – once they’re gone, they’re gone. There’s no way back from that, so remember that they serve an important role. I love what they do,” he said.
While Haskell remained tight-lipped about any details from the Sussexes’ wedding, he did talk about Mike and Zara Tindall’s nuptials.
Describing the event, he added: “Mike and Zara’s wedding was full of rugby players. It was the perfect combination of ceremony and romance, coupled with the fact that both of them like to enjoy themselves.”
Haskell’s comments come following the release of The Good, the Bad, and the Rugby: Unleashed, a new book by Haskell and his podcast co-hosts.
In it, Tindall provides his own insights into royal life, dispelling common misconceptions about the monarchy.
Tindall revealed that the royal family’s lifestyle is “nothing like” the grandeur of popular British TV series Downton Abbey.
Instead, Tindall described the royals as “a very close family who loved each other dearly”.
He also spoke about his smooth integration into the monarchy.
“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,” he said.
His comments contrast sharply with those of Meghan Markle, who has openly discussed the challenges of adapting to royal life.
Markle, who stepped back from royal duties with Prince Harry in 2020, claimed in her 2021 Oprah Winfrey interview that she faced significant difficulties within the Firm.
While Meghan and Harry have distanced themselves from the monarchy, Zara and Mike Tindall remain close to key members, including Princess Anne, King Charles, and the Prince and Princess of Wales, balancing their untitled status with steadfast loyalty to the crown.
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