Moment fun Mike Tindall usurped Harry to become Prince George’s ‘favourite’ uncle, revealed by body language expert
Watch our video above to see body language expert Judi James' analysis on George and Mike
PRINCE Harry is currently living an A-list life in California and shares a £12million mansion with Meghan Markle and their kids.
But while this comes with glamorous perks like red carpet events and rubbing shoulders with Hollywood’s elite, he is missing out on seeing his UK-based niece and nephews grow up.
In Uncle Harry’s absence, Prince George, 11, is said to have grown close to another family member, Mike Tindall.
Body language expert Judi James told Fabulous: “George’s original ‘fun uncle’ and adult playmate did that infamous bolt to the US, leaving a huge Harry-shaped gap in the young boy’s life that Mike has more than filled.
“Mike is the fun uncle everyone needs, but in the case of Prince George, whose destiny is all about duty and responsible behaviour, Mike’s presence in his life is completely invaluable.
“Harry and Mike share traits like fearlessness and irreverence but Mike also has something that Harry lacks, which is an intrinsic respect for the royal firm.
“He will joke with the royals but he won’t be critical or indiscreet.”
Sweet moment
The body language expert shared how one key moment showed the closeness of George and former rugby star Mike’s bond.
Royal fans previously gushed over Prince George and Mike’s display of affection on Christmas Day last year.
The young prince was walking past well-wishers as he left St Mary Magdalene’s Church on the Sandringham Estate – and Mike put his arm around him for a huge hug.
George’s original ‘fun uncle’ and adult playmate did that infamous bolt to the US, leaving a huge Harry-shaped gap in the young boy’s life that Mike has more than filled
Judi James
Judi shared of the moment: “Mike’s behaviour during their Xmas walk to and from church showed he will probably always treat George as he would treat his own children, i.e playfully and with a complete lack of protocol.
“While George and his siblings were being nudged to greet the waiting crowd with polite handshakes and smiles, carrying armfuls of gifts they have been given, Mike just took over the action by grabbing George for a stunning and very touchingly hearty partial hug and kissing him on the side of the head, showing not just spontaneous affection but also a sense of reward and pride in the young boy for the way he was doing such a good job.
“George’s facial expression suggested he was both surprised and delighted.”
Prince Harry was absent from the royal family Christmas last year, following relocating across the pond with Meghan in 2020.
Mike is the fun uncle everyone needs, but in the case of Prince George, whose destiny is all about duty and responsible behaviour, Mike’s presence in his life is completely invaluable
Judi James
Kate’s close bond
The strength of George and Mike’s relationship was seen back in 2015 when the young prince was just one, as he and mum Kate attended Gigaset Charity Polo Match.
Judi added: “Standing with Mike while she was carrying a younger George, we can see how contagious Mike’s relaxed and informal approach is via Kate’s own relaxed smile.”
Yorkshire-born Mike is a hit with Princes William and Harry too – despite the fact he says what he thinks.
While he delighted fans at the Jubilee by larking about trying on Zara’s fascinator, he reportedly landed himself in a spot of bother after branding Prince Harry a ‘b****nd’, reports The Daily Express.
He previously joked that members of the Royal Family would like to “throw a few punches” at the Duke of Sussex.
Buy tickets for The Sun's Royal Exclusive Live special
BUY tickets for our Royal Exclusive Live special at The News Building .
Tickets are £5 and include a free drink.
Guests can get the lowdown on the Royal Family including all-things Harry, Meghan, William and Kate.
Our expert panel will be The Sun’s Royal Editor Matt Wilkinson, The Sun’s Royal Photographer Arthur Edwards and ex-BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond.
The trio will share some of their favourite stories about the Firm, lifting the lid on what it’s like to work with them, and some of their biggest scoops to date.
Guests will also get the opportunity to ask questions about what really goes on behind the doors of the palace.
So come prepped to quiz the panel in front of a live audience at our London Bridge offices on October 4, from 7pm until 9pm.
Mike’s royal seal of approval
Mike and wife Zara Tindall – who is the daughter of Princess Anne – met during England‘s Rugby World Cup–winning campaign in Australia in 2003.
They were introduced to each other in a bar in Sydney by Zara’s cousin Prince Harry.
He said: “Our first actual date, just went out for lunch locally.
“And ended up being quite a boozy one.
“Then we figured out that we both quite like getting smashed. It was a good start.”
Judi added that despite his cheeky personality, Mike earned the respect of the late Queen and mum-in-law Princess Anne.
She continued: “Mike seems to have been adored by the late Queen, who he made laugh many times during their meetings and he appears to be equally adored by his mother-in-law Princess Anne.
“He comes with a royal seal of approval from two formidable royal women and that seems to be more than enough for William and Kate in terms of acting as the fun, spontaneous uncle influence in their children’s lives.
“William was famously told off by the Queen when he bent to speak to his son on the royal balcony, showing how much he is also bound by royal rules but Mike can show George how to enjoy life within those rules: when to be playful and when to be well-behaved.”
She continued: “Life in the royal pressure cooker needs someone like Mike to act as an emotional safety valve.”
Tindall romance
Mike proposed to Princess Anne’s daughter in December 2010 after five years of dating.
Queen Elizabeth II gave her consent for the pair to get married, in front of a Privy Council in May 2011.
The pair then wed two months later on July 30, 2011 in Edinburgh.
They went on to have daughter Mia in 2014, followed by their second daughter, Lena, in 2018 and their son, Lucas, in 2021.
Inside life of most relatable royal couple Zara and Mike Tindall
YOU might expect to find royalty spending their evenings eating fancy food, wearing designer gowns and dripping in diamonds.
But for one royal couple, life is a lot more ‘normal’ than you’d imagine – we’re talking curry and beer nights and muddy dog walks.
From Ann Summers parties and tongue piercings to sibling spats in the royal box, here we take a look at how the Tindall clan has carved out a reputation as Britain’s most relatable royals.
Mike and Zara met in Australia in 2003 during the Rugby World Cup, after they were introduced to each other in a bar in Sydney by Zara’s cousin Prince Harry.
The couple’s relationship blossomed back in the UK, but it wasn’t all big elaborate romantic gestures – things happened naturally.
Mike later told the Daily Mail: “We got introduced but didn’t speak that much.
“Later on, [rugby player] Austin Healey gave me her number and said, ‘She wants you to text her, to say where you’re all going out after the final so she can come along.’”
Unlike Kate Middleton and Prince William, Mike and Zara have never shied away from a PDA and happily show their love for each other.
But when it comes to dates, they reportedly love nothing more than a night in front of the telly.
According to reports, Mike proposed at home while Zara was watching TV.
It was this level of normality which the Queen was said to have adored about her eldest granddaughter and her family.
One royal source said: “Zara and Mike relax in their dog-strewn home with a box-set, a good curry and some lagers.”
If they do fancy a night out, it’s understood Princess Anne babysits so they can enjoy a date at the local pub near where they live in Gloucester.