<p id=”par-1_53″>Although <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/prince-william/?swcfpc=1″>Prince William</a> is <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/chance-potential-william-harry-christmas-reconciliation-snuffed-weeks-ago.html/”>estranged from Prince Harry</a>, the future king still has a “brotherly” figure in his life, Mike Tindall. The former pro rugby player, who is married to Princess Anne’s daughter (and the Prince of Wales’s cousin) Zara Tindall, 43, is reportedly someone William is “grateful” to have “by his side.” </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-mike-tindall-is-a-key-figure-in-william-s-life”>Mike Tindall is a ‘key figure’ in William’s life</h2>
<p id=”par-2_53″>According to a Woman’s Day report, Mike isn’t just someone William pals around with at the occasional royal family get-together (via <a href=”https://www.express.co.uk/news/royal/1996719/mike-tindall-prince-william-loyal” target=”_blank” rel=”noreferrer noopener”>Express</a>). Rather Mike has “become a key figure in William’s world,” an insider told the outlet. So much so that he’s “someone he [William] can always rely on” in a “brotherly” way. </p>
<p id=”par-3_48″>The insider also suggested William is very aware of Mike’s continued support. “There’s no doubt Wills sees him as the brother he lost,” the source said. “He’s proven how loyal he is and Wills knows Mike has his back. He’s so grateful to have him by his side.”</p>
<p id=”par-4_53″>William and his brother, the Duke of Sussex, 40, haven’t spoken in years. They last attended an event together in August 2024, a memorial service for a Spencer family relative. Meanwhile, William and Tindall see each other at royal family events from Trooping the Colour to holiday festivities, which likely strengthens their bond. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-mike-tindall-and-prince-william-have-become-especially-close-in-recent-years”>Mike Tindall and Prince William have become especially close in recent years</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-image aligncenter size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Mike-Tindall-Prince-William-and-other-British-royals.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Mike Tindall, Prince William, and other British royals walk together.” class=”wp-image-3759668″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Mike Tindall, Prince William, and other British royals | Mark Kerrison/In Pictures via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-5_66″>To see <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/prince-william-especially-close-royal-family-member-shares-strong-bond-with-body-language-expert-says.html/”>how close Tindall</a> and William have become look no further than Christmas Day footage of royals walking to church. In 2023, William and Kate Middleton’s youngest child, Prince Louis, 6, adorably <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/william-kates-relationship-zara-mike-tindall-cemented-sweet-move-prince-louis-according-to-a-body-language-expert.html/”>held hands</a> with one of the Tindall girls, Mia, on their way to church. More recently, on Christmas Day 2024, the Tindalls were spotted walking just behind the Prince and Princess of Wales. </p>
<p id=”par-6_60″>Tindall, as well as William’s cousin, Zara, have also been there for the Wales family during Kate’s ongoing recovery after being diagnosed with cancer in 2024. They’ve even been said to have the <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/1-royal-couple-help-take-william-kates-minds-off-stressful-situation-cancer-diagnosis-report.html/”>ability to bring laughter</a> to the Wales household during the particularly stressful time. The Tindalls have also been described as an “emotional air-bag” for William and Kate. </p>
<p id=”par-7_35″>It likely also helps that William and Kate’s kids—Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Louis—are close in age to Zara and Mike’s children. They are parents to 10-year-old Mia, 6-year-old Lena, and 3-year-old Lucas. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-mike-isn-t-afraid-to-joke-with-william”>Mike isn’t afraid to joke with William</h2>
<figure class=”wp-block-image aligncenter size-full” id=”emb-2″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Kate-Middleton-Mike-Tindall-and-Prince-William.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Kate Middleton, Mike Tindall, and Prince William stand next to each other.” class=”wp-image-3759667″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Kate Middleton, Mike Tindall, and Prince William | Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<div class=”related-article related-article–complex”>
<span class=”related-article-flag”>Related</span>
<img src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Kate-Middleton-and-Prince-William-who-have-taken-the-lead-smile.webp” alt=”Prince William and Kate Middleton Have ‘Taken the Lead’”>
<p class=”related-article__title”>
<a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/prince-william-kate-middleton-taken-the-lead.html/”>
Prince William and Kate Middleton Have ‘Taken the Lead’ </a>
</p>
</div>
<p id=”par-8_44″>He might be the future leader of the British royal family—William’s first in line to the throne—but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t get the occasional ribbing from Tindall. The former professional rugby player is known to joke with William and even <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/mike-tindall-says-kate-middletons-rugby-skills-demonstrate-competitive-nature-good-things.html/”>occasionally roast Kate</a>. </p>
<p id=”par-9_35″>During a December 2023 podcast episode, Tindall revealed his <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/mike-tindall-so-much-trouble-revealing-prince-williams-embarrassing-nickname-according-wife-zara.html/”>embarrassing nickname for William</a>, “One Pint Willy.” Although he quickly apologized for divulging the moniker Tindall was still “in big trouble,” according to his wife Zara. </p>
<p id=”par-10_19″>So, it seems as William and Harry drifted further apart, the future king’s become closer than ever to Tindall. </p>