Mike Tindall, who turns 48 today, revealed on a podcast that he has an unflattering nickname for Prince William: 'One Pint Willy'. The former rugby player, married to William's cousin Zara, made the admission during a special recording with his wife and the late Rugby League legend Rob Burrow, who was living with Motor Neurone Disease at the time.
In the conversation, Rob asked whether the couple have nicknames for each other or for other members of the Royal Family, including William, Kate, King Charles or Queen Camilla.
Nickname revelation
Speaking about William, Mike said: "For the Prince of Wales, he is known as One Pint Willy. He is known to me as One Pint Willy because he is not the best of drinkers, coming from a sport where it is built on the social aspect and a couple of beers being sunk quite often."
He added: "That is one I will definitely give away for the Prince of Wales." After the revelation, a giggling Zara warned her husband: "Oh my god. You are in so much trouble."
Personal nicknames and royal reaction
When asked about nicknames for him and Zara, Mike said: "We basically call each other munchkins a lot. I don't know why that started but it has stuck. I will let Zara decide whether she wants to give away what I am down in her phone as." Zara later revealed only: "He is in my phone as something else and it ends with kitten."
Weeks later, William met Rob to surprise him and pal Kevin Sinfield with their CBEs at the Leeds Rhinos stadium. The Prince of Wales joked with Rob: "It was you who got the nicknames out of him - he apologised to me about that. When I saw him, I said Mike, when you're not going to mention your nicknames doesn't mean you mention mine, it's not fair'. I'm sure it's quite fun with Mike."
Family closeness and competitive streak
Zara and Mike are known to be close to the Prince and Princess of Wales and their children. In 2024, William and Kate appeared on Mike's own podcast The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, where Mike revealed Kate's competitive nature, saying: "I'm not going to say you're uber competitive but I've seen her play beer pong!" Kate replied: "I'm not competitive at all."
Mike also got the pair to open up about their competitiveness, especially in tennis. Kate said: "I don't think we've actually been able to finish a game of tennis. It becomes a mental challenge between the two of us," with William agreeing: "It is who can out mental each other."
