The royal family often welcomes guests into their hallowed halls, whether they are heads of state, politicians or royal visitors from abroad.
But it seems the hardest to please of all was former English rugby player James Haskell.
James, 39, sat down in the Green Drawing Room at Windsor Castle in September 2023 with fellow podcast hosts Alex Payne and Mike Tindall to interview Princess Anne and the Prince and Princess of Wales.
Despite being surrounded by what was “one of the most luxurious and expensive interior decoration projects ever undertaken in England,” according to the Royal Collection Trust, James was not amused.
In a new interview with The telegraph To promote his upcoming book, The Good, the Bad & the Rugby – Unleashed, with Mike Tindall and Alex Payne, the former flanker said he was particularly “disappointed” with the selection of biscuits on offer at the royal residence.
Former rugby player James Haskell (pictured) revealed he was “disappointed” by the biscuit selection at Windsor Castle.
“I was expecting big trays full of buns and exotic fruit tarts,” James said. ‘Instead, I bought a couple of rich broken teas and what appeared to be half-eaten malted milk, left over from a box of Family Circle cookies.
But thankfully the former Wasps player didn’t leave Windsor Castle hungry.
He said: ‘Luckily I had brought an M&S sandwich, but as I started to eat it someone appeared and shooed me into a hallway.
“They had been on red alert ever since our doctor spilled coffee on what was probably a priceless Chippendale cabinet.”
Trying to devour an M&S sandwich in front of royalty wasn’t the only protocol James broke that day.
Before the recording of the podcast, Prince William was introduced with rather colloquial words: “Okay, boss.”
It was an unusual group: three boisterous rugby fans sitting across from three of the most senior royals. But of course the chat was organized by podcast host Mike, who has three children with Zara Tindall and simply asked his mother-in-law if she was free.
More than 3.6 million people have tuned in to hear the candid conversation on The Good, the Bad and the Rugby’s YouTube channel alone.
The Good, The Bad and the Rugby co-hosts Alex Payne, James Haskell and Mike Tindall sit in the Green Room at Windsor Castle with Princess Anne and the Prince and Princess of Wales in September 2023.
James Haskell pictured speaking to Princess Anne and the Prince of Wales during the recording of the podcast.
James said he was impressed by the Princess Royal’s sporting knowledge. Princess Anne (pictured) is the president of the British Olympic Association and patron of Scottish rugby.
The official photograph taken on Harry and Meghan’s wedding day was taken in the Green Room, which was “one of the most luxurious and expensive interior decoration projects ever undertaken in England,” according to the Royal Collection Trust.
After their 50-minute casual chat about all things sports, James revealed that what impressed him the most was Mike’s mother-in-law.
The Princess Royal is not only a former Olympian, but also the president of the British Olympic Association and the patron saint of Scottish rugby.
James writes in the book: “Princess Anne knew more about sports than almost anyone I have ever met.”
It’s surprising that James had a difficult time at Windsor Castle considering his own experience being part of a famous family.
The former rugby player married Chloe Madeley, daughter of TV stars Richard and Judy, in December 2018.
The couple share a daughter named Bodhi, one.
Mike knew Chloe as they had appeared together on the Channel 4 series The Jump. “She’s basically a female version of Hask,” he writes, “which made for an interesting relationship.”
After five years of marriage, James and Chloe announced their separation in October 2023.
Last Thursday Chloe appeared on Olivia Attwood is so wrong it’s okay podcast and talked about the breakup of his marriage.
The fitness guru, 37, said: “I don’t even remember his schedule, when he was in England for a whole week.” It’s everywhere and I just can’t do that. I can’t live like this.’
“I think he knew I was really unhappy,” he added. And I think he also knew that I was really unhappy. But I don’t think either of us would have ever predicted that we would break up. Ever.’
James Haskell, 39, and Chloe Madeley, 37, announced their separation in October 2023 (pictured, arriving at Windsor Castle for Meghan Markle and Prince Harry’s 2018 wedding).
But Chloe said she remembers the exact moment she declared she was convinced the relationship was over.
“I swear to God it was like a day, I remember exactly where we were – I remember the day, the time, the temperature, the clothes, everything – I just remember saying, ‘I don’t think we should keep doing this,’ but I actually said it in serious and we went from there.
“It doesn’t happen by chance; it didn’t happen to us anyway.” It was cultivated over time and remains that way now.
Chloe revealed on the podcast that although she had downloaded dating apps, she wasn’t ready to start dating other people just yet.
The couple who had starred in their own ITV reality show, Chloe Madeley: A Family Affair, announced: ‘Chloe and I have mutually decided to separate at the end of September 2023.
‘We had not planned to make a statement at this time – certainly not while the TV show was airing – but, unfortunately, constant speculation about our marriage has forced us to do so.
‘Beyond this statement, we will not be speaking publicly about this matter and will request privacy at this time.
‘Our only focus now is our beautiful daughter. “We will continue to co-parent with nothing but love.”
