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TL; DR: 

  • Prince Harry and Meghan Markle stood on the steps of St. Paul’s Cathedral following a National Service of Thanksgiving.
  • Zara Tindall spoke to the couple while her husband, Mike Tindall, stood nearby in what a body language expert called a moment of “awkwardness.” 
  • According to the expert, Mike Tindall’s relationship with Prince William may have created a “dilemma” for him with Prince Harry.
  • Mike Tindall reportedly called Prince Harry a “b*****d” at another Platinum Jubilee event. 
Mike Tindall, who a body language expert says had a moment of 'awkwardness' with Prince Harry at the jubilee service, stands next to Zara Tindall, Prince Harry, Meghan Markle and Peter Phillips
Peter Phillips, Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Zara Tindall, and Mike Tindall | Kirsty O’Connor – WPA Pool/Getty Images

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle returned to the UK for Platinum Jubilee weekend. Their seats in the second row at a jubilee service ensured they were nowhere near Prince Charles, Prince William, or Kate Middleton. On their way out, they chatted with the Duke of Sussex’s cousin, Zara Tindall. Meanwhile, her husband, Mike Tindall, stood by in what a body language expert described as “awkwardness.” Per the expert, Tindall’s “closeness” with Harry’s brother seemed to have created a “dilemma” with the Duke and Duchess of Sussex. 

Prince William and Mike Tindall seem to have ‘very close emotional ties’

Body language expert Judi James told Express that William and Tindall appear to exhibit “very close emotional ties.”

“Mike is one of the most open, spontaneous, and playful members of the royal family, looking relaxed and chatty at even the most formal events,” she said. “His body language with William recently has shown up some very close emotional ties between the two men.”

James referenced their “play-fight” and “intense hugging” at horse trials in May 2022, just shortly before Platinum Jubilee weekend began. It “goes beyond friendship and into affection and closeness that looks like brotherly or even paternal love,” she explained. 

Mike Tindall’s ‘closeness’ to Prince William created a ‘dilemma’ as Prince Harry stood nearby

Examining footage from the National Service of Thanksgiving, James said Tindall’s “awkwardness” with Harry may have offered a glimpse of the “pain and anger” William could still have relating to the brothers’ rift. 

“With Mike’s closeness to William in mind, it also appeared to have created a bit of a dilemma as Harry stepped out into Zara’s group as they waited for their transport,” she said. “Zara looks happy to chat and even turns fully to talk to Harry here, who is looking anxious and keen to get into his own car.”

As for Mike, James pointed out how he didn’t turn his head to join the conversation. He remained “looking about and holding his order of service up with a look of awkwardness.”

Ultimately, Tindall talked to another guest. And, according to James, it’s not his “normal style” of behavior. 

“He usually looks too easy-going and too tough to get involved in politics and it could be that his attention was taken arranging the right cars, but there are no signs of any farewell from him, either,” she said. 

Tindall wasn’t the only royal who appeared to feel a little uneasy. James also said Harry exhibited signs of anxiety at the service.

Mike Tindall reportedly had a choice word for Prince Harry at the jubilee concert

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Tindall and Harry’s jubilee service awkwardness wasn’t the only contentious moment during Platinum Jubilee weekend. Express reported Tindall described Harry’s behavior as that of a “b*****d” after the Platinum Jubilee Party at the Palace. 

Tindall spoke about the star-studded concert held outside Buckingham Palace on his podcast, The Good, The Bad, and The Rugby. “It was at the concert where there was a bit more of a chat together because we went in and had a drink with everyone after,” he said.