Mike Tindall says private royal cousins' lunch was Platinum Jubilee highlight
Mike Tindall has shared his stand-out moments of the Platinum Jubilee weekend celebrations, including a special royal lunch.
The rugby star, 43, who is married to the Queen's granddaughter Zara Tindall, shared some details as he returned to work for Wednesday's instalment of The Good, The Bad and The Rugby podcast.
"It was outstanding, to be fair. It was just great to be a part of," he told his co-host Alex Payne.
When asked what his most special moments were, he laughed, "We had a good cousins' lunch on the Thursday! That was a highlight!"
On Thursday, Trooping the Colour kicked off the celebrations as the first event of the weekend.
With moments including the colour (the battalion flag) being trooped (or carried) and a military parade, as well as senior members of the Royal Family making a traditional balcony appearance, it seems at some point some of the royals gathered for a memorable lunch.
Read more: Mike Tindall was an unexpected star of the Platinum Jubilee weekend
Tindall added, "Outside of that, the concert was very, very cool. And going to the Derby for the first time was a unique experience that I enjoyed. And who knew that wearing your missus' hats would actually be a thing!"
Zara's known for being close to her cousins, including Prince William and Prince Harry.
Also among the family are Peter Philips, Zara's brother (44), Princess Beatrice (33) and Princess Eugenie (32), daughters of Prince Andrew, and Lady Louise Windsor (18) and James, Viscount Severn (14), daughter and son of Prince Edward.
While it is unknown who exactly attended the "cousins' lunch" on Thursday as Tindall references, royal editor Rebecca English responded to Daily Mail's diary editor Richard Eden's Tweet asking if Harry and Meghan went.
"I don’t believe they did," she said. "The Sussexes returned straight to Windsor."
William and Kate were prominent figures of the jubilee celebrations, present at events over all four days, which also included the Service of Thanksgiving on Friday, the Platinum Party at the Palace on Saturday and the Platinum Jubilee Pageant on Sunday.
Read more: The Cambridges bring out their fun side for the Platinum Jubilee Party at the Palace
Meanwhile, Harry and Meghan were involved in their first official event since they decided to step back from their royal duties in 2020 when they attended the Trooping of the Colour. While they didn't take part in the carriage procession or make a balcony appearance, they watched from the Major General’s office out of the limelight.
However, they also attended the Service of Thanksgiving, which was the first time the pair have been seen in public with William and Kate since their departure.
Their children, Archie, three, and Lilibet, who turned one on Saturday, weren't in attendance, though stayed in Frogmore Cottage in Windsor with their parents for the duration of the trip.
Read more: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle release rare photo of Lilibet on her first birthday
While speaking on the podcast, Tindall also acknowledged Prince Louis – the youngest of the Cambridge children – stealing the show. Of course, the moment of him giving the four-year-old the 'Im watching you' gesture while they watched the Pageant form the Royal Box was one of the stand-outs.
"Louis, he was just wanting to have fun," he explained. "And my two are always mischievous so it's trying to keep a lid on. There were a lot of sweets out back though, so there was a real sugar high."
He added, "It's tough for them. They're all young… it's a long time. But as any parents knows you just do whatever needs to be done."
Mike, Zara, and their two eldest children Mia, eight, and Lena, three, were sat directly behind the Cambridges at the Pageant. The pair also share a baby son, Lucas.
Watch: Cheeky Prince Louis steals the show
