Guernsey Press

Mike Tindall gives Meghan Markle tips about marrying into royal family

The former England rugby captain said he was welcomed with open arms.

Published

Mike Tindall, the former England rugby captain who married into the royal family, has said he was welcomed with open arms and that Meghan Markle should just try to enjoy her wedding day.

Speaking on Good Morning Britain, the former England centre, who married the Queen’s granddaughter Zara Tindall in 2011, said of Ms Markle: “I think she’ll be nervous, but coming from her background in TV she’s used to the public spotlight.

“Not quite as much probably as has gone on this week, but she’ll be fine and I think she’s experienced enough to know that all she can do is enjoy the day.

Ms Markle’s mother, Doria Ragland, is set to meet the Queen today ahead of the wedding and Mr Tindall said he remembers the drinks reception with the royals the night before his wedding.

He said: “We had a drinks event the night before and they are professional meeters and greeters, and I remember my family were in a corner and a little bit out of their comfort zone because it’s not where they are used to being.

“But the best thing about the royal family is that they are so lovely and they’ll spot the people who are looking a little bit nervous and go straight over and take away all of that tension straight out of the room, and that’s what they are amazing at.

“Then suddenly you’re in the family and they welcome you with welcome arms.”

The former rugby star became the Queen’s grandson-in-law after his marriage in July 2011 at the Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh.

It was said that Prince Harry introduced the pair to each other, but Mr Tindall jokingly disputed that, saying: “I don’t know if he can really take full credit for it. It was probably Prince Harry in a roundabout way, but they’ll probably all take credit.”

He added that his former England teammate Austin Healey has made the strongest case for being the one that set up the pair.

The couple have one daughter, four-year-old Mia, and are expecting another child this year after suffering a miscarriage in 2017.

Tessy Ojo, the CEO of the Diana Award, which recognises the outstanding achievements of young people in their communities, will also be one of the 600 guests inside the chapel at the wedding.

Speaking on the same show, she said: “At the Diana Award, we are incredibly lucky to have both princes involved in our work.”

She added that Prince Harry in particular was a great supporter of the mentoring award.

The Diana Award was established in 1999 by the Government, which wanted to continue Princess Diana’s legacy by establishing a formal way to recognise young people who were going above and beyond in their local communities.

It has since recognised 49,000 children from across the world for their social action work.

Ms Ojo said the wedding is “bringing Diana into the centre of everything, and that’s important for us to see”.

Sorry, we are not accepting comments on this article.