A great friend of Prince Harry’s, Mike Tindall dreamed of playing a special role in his marriage to Meghan Markle. But the Duke of Sussex turned down Zara Phillips’ husband, to his great regret.
For his friend’s wedding, he had put on his best suit. On May 19, 2018, like all members of the British Royal Family, Mike Tindall would not have missed the lavish ceremony organized for the union of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle for anything in the world.
On the arm of his wife, Zara Phillips, pregnant with their second daughter, the former rugby player who celebrates his 42nd birthday this Sunday, October 18, had a smile on his face. And yet a few days earlier, he had experienced a real disillusionment.
On the happiest day of the Duke of Sussex’s life, Mike Tindall would have liked to have had an important role. “When I saw they were getting married, I texted Prince Harry and said, ‘I’ve written my speech, I’m ready,'” he said a few weeks before D-Day.
“And he said, ‘Sorry buddy, this job is full but I need someone to show people where to park their cars,'” Tindall recalled. I thought it was a bit harsh! I was a little disappointed. I just hope it was an incredible day for them.” Tindall’s wife also had a tough day.
In an interview with The Telegraph, the former riding champion recounted the ordeal she went through at the Sussex wedding when she was eight months pregnant. “I wasn’t comfortable! My buttocks were spilling all over the place and Lena kept kicking me like it wasn’t allowed for an hour! I really wasn’t well at all and it probably showed in my head,” said the little girl of Queen Elizabeth II, who gave birth a few weeks later to a second baby girl.
Mike Tindall, Sussex support
As for her husband, he finally keeps excellent memories of the marriage of Meghan Markle and Prince Harry. Saddened by the refusal of the Duke of Sussex, who had already chosen his witnesses for the happiest day of his life, Zara Philipps’ husband did not hold it against her.
Proof, if proof were needed, he is today one of the most fervent supporters of the Sussex people, who have been under constant attack since their decision to leave the ranks of the royal family. Since their settlement in the United States, Archie’s parents have been antagonizing the British Crown.
Except Mike Tindall. “They are busy doing what they are doing and I just want them to be happy with what they are doing,” he said on Good Morning Britain. And Harry stressed that it’s all about his family, so you have to support him through this.”