Mike Tindall reveals Prince George and Kate's favourite sports

Mike Tindall has revealed his close bond with Prince George - and even shed light on the Princess of Wales's favourite sport. 

The former rugby union player, who is married to King Charles's niece Zara, is known to have a close relationship with the young royal - and was snapped affectionately ruffling his hair during December's Christmas day service. 

In a new interview with The Telegraph to promote his podcast The Good, the Bad & the Rugby with James Haskell and Alex Payne, Mike noted that George 'loves' playing football and is a huge Aston Villa fan like his father Prince William. 

He also shared a sweet insight into his relationship with the 11 year old, saying they often play the game together.  

Mike, 45, told the newspaper: ‘George loves his football. I’ve played numerous times in the garden with him. 

'He’s passionate about Aston Villa, too. Wherever he is, he’ll sit down and watch that game.'

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And giving an insight into the Princess of Wales's favourite sport, he added: 'They’re just a family who love sport. Catherine loves her running.’ 

The Princess of Wales has at previous engagements enjoyed abseiling, tennis, football and even a foot race with her husband Prince William and his now-estranged brother Prince Harry. 

In recent weeks, she has been making a slow but steady return to engagements after completing her chemotherapy treatment, visiting victims in Southport with her husband and meeting teenager Liz Hatton at Windsor Castle.   

Football fan George has attended a series of football games with his father in the past, including an Aston Villa game in April, and the Euros final in July. 

Prince William is known to enjoy a 'bromance' with Tindall - so it comes as no surprise that Mike is also close to his eldest son.

Speaking to The Times earlier this year, one royal source dubbed Mike, 45, and Zara, 43, the 'glue of their generation of royals, no matter how serious the occasion'.

'They can help take the family's mind off the gravity of what is going on,' they added.

'While some family members can be very "royal", Mike is just himself and is relaxed and playful with George, Charlotte and Louis.

'It helps that they all have children around the same age that they can fool around together privately and bring a sense of normality to what is a stressful situation for everyone involved.'  

Mike interviewed William for his podcast - The Good, The Bad and The Rugby - last year.

There, the Prince of Wales revealed that Zara's victory in equestrian eventing was the only occasion he'd been moved to tears while watching sports.

During the discussion at Windsor Castle, the father-of-three said: 'The only time I've ever cried when watching sport was when Zara won I think it was the European championship.

'I was down in Exmoor at the time camping. We were all huddling around the phone watching it. She was there she was blubbing away the flag was going up. I was in pieces.'

Also taking part in the podcast were William's wife, Kate and Zara's mother - William's aunt - Princess Anne, herself an accomplished equestrian.

Continuing the discussion, Kate said: 'I can remember because you came back and said I've never been so proud of anyone.'

William, along with his brother Harry, were raised in Gloucestershire, just a few miles from where Zara and her brother Peter Phillips grew up. The four royal cousins were often spotted chatting and joking at royal events.

Mike Tindall and William may seem like an unlikely pairing, but the pair are often snapped sharing a joke at royal events - and can't resist a hug when they see each other in public.

William, heir to the throne, was educated at Eton before completing his degree at St Andrews. He prefers football to rugby, which was more his brother Harry's sport.

Mike attended Queen Elizabeth Grammar School, in Wakefield becoming a professional rugby player for Bath at the age of 18.

Yet the pair are also hands-on fathers and enjoy catching up at the polo or the races, where they often give each other warm greetings like the one caught on camera.

William and Mike have been photographed looking pally at several public engagements, with the ex-England rugby player going along to support the royal at polo matches in the past.

It's clear the pair are on such good terms that Mike felt comfortable enough to poke fun at the future King in a recent podcast, saying he calls the heir to the throne 'One Pint Willy' because 'he is not the best of drinkers'.

Both have also been with their wives for almost 20 years - Tindall was 25 when he and Zara were introduced at the 2003 World Cup. William and Kate met at university.

It appears as though Zara and Kate both get along nicely too, with there being many photos of the couples hanging out as a quad and the two mothers captured giggling away together or deep in conversation at events.

One touching moment between the duo was at the 2012 Olympics, when Kate was spotted waving enthusiastically at Zara, who won a Silver medal as part of the eventing team.

Zara in particular also holds a close bond with her cousins Eugenie and Beatrice, who she often hugs and pecks at high-profile royal events.

Social media shy Beatrice made a rare post on X in 2022, to show her support for Mike's I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here! stint, dubbing her cousin's husband 'the greatest'.

Mike has also had his fair share of fun with the Royal Family relatives - that same year he poked fun at his wife and Eugenie's colourful gowns in a humorous Instagram post comparing them to Starburst wrappers.