Mike Tindall will go head to head with Prince Harry tomorrow, with the former rugby player’s new book being released on the same day the Duke of Sussex’s Spare paperback hits shelves.
Gloucestershire-based Mike will release ‘The Good, The Bad & The Rugby – Unleashed’ on Thursday.
The book, which he co-authored with Alex Payne and James Haskell, will give insight into “the ups and downs of their podcast, their friendship and their rugby”.
Mike, who is married to the Duke of Sussex’s cousin Zara Tindall, revealed in the book that he was mocked by James, who once referenced the Newsnight interview about Prince Andrew’s “car accident”.
However, Harry will also publish his paperback version of Spare on Thursday.
Zara Tindall, Prince Harry and Mike Tindall are pictured in 2014 wearing rugby uniforms
The hardcover version was originally released in the United Kingdom on January 10, 2023.
The royal wrote that the book was “for Meg, Archie and Lili… And, of course, my mother.”
The duke leveled many accusations at the Royal Family in Spare, as well as alleging that he had a physical fight with his brother and heir to the throne, Prince William.
He claimed in the book that the Prince of Wales grabbed him by the neck and threw him to the ground, while breaking a dog bowl with his back. William then allegedly stated, “I didn’t attack you, Harold.”
Harry also called his mother-in-law, Queen Camilla, “dangerous” and a “villain” in his memoirs and alleged that she had “sacrificed” him to enhance her reputation.
In Mike’s new book he described how he joined the Royal Family in 2011 after marrying Zara and is believed to have investigated Meghan Markle.
He said: ‘Believe it or not, marrying into the Royal Family was quite easy for me. They were always nice to me and I was always nice to them. Really simple.’
Mike’s experience seemed to contrast sharply with how Meghan Markle described her time at The Firm, eventually stepping down from all royal duties after less than two years of being married to Harry.
Mike and Zara Tindall appear at Royal Ascot in June this year.
Paperback version of Spare and The Good, The Bad & The Rugby – Unleashed will be released tomorrow
Meghan’s transition into royal life was marred by strained relationships with the family, eventually resulting in the couple quitting and moving to California.
Mike’s friend James Haskell also calls Omid Scobie a “very strange guy” in the new book.
Scobie, 43, is a friend of Harry and Meghan and wrote their gushing biography Finding Freedom.
James wrote that “royal fans can be crazy,” adding that “we all know American royal fans are fucking crazy, especially the Scobietes.”
Scobie previously criticized Mike for ‘cashing in’ on his royal connections by appearing on I’m a Celebrity… Get Me Out of Here.
Talking to him Telegraph About the new book – and Scobie’s comments – he said: ‘I don’t even have access to my Twitter. Just tag me anyone who is talking about any topic. It’s so random what I have to examine.’
He added: “If there is any story about me or my children, it will get tangled in a web of something else and I will be forced to read all this rubbish.” This is the world we live in. Some have nothing better to do than bag people.
Mike and his wife Zara are believed to have had a falling out with Harry and Meghan after the latter couple left the Royal Family and then criticized them publicly.
Prince Harry, Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall appear at Windsor Castle in 2019
Prince William and Mike Tindall are pictured hugging at a polo match in 2017.
Elsewhere in the book, Mike revealed that Prince George “loves football” and is “a passionate Aston Villa fan.”
He wrote: “Wherever he is, he will sit and watch that game.”
The father-of-three is known to have a close relationship with the 11-year-old royal and was seen affectionately ruffling his hair during December’s Christmas Day service.
The eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales has followed his father’s example: Prince William, 42, has long been a big fan of the Birmingham-based Premier League football club and regularly attends the matches.
George also accompanied his father to the Euro final in Germany this summer.
Mike also shared that he and George, 11, have played soccer together “numerous times in the backyard.”
And, giving an insight into the Princess of Wales’ sporting activities, Mike added: “They are just a family who love sport.” Catherine loves to run.
Prince William is known to enjoy a “bromance” with Mike, so it’s no surprise that Mike is also close with his eldest son.