The Royals Are ‘A Modern Family That’s Very Dysfunctional,’ Claims Prince Harry’s Friend

Feb 20, 2025 by apost team

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The members of the British royal family are some of the most well-known yet elusive public figures. Despite being immensely popular, they have somehow maintained their privacy. Even their social circles protect them from any invasion of privacy. So, it’s always interesting when we get insider information from those who have spent time with the royals and know sides of them that aren’t always accessible to the public and are usually masked behind duty and etiquette. 

James Haskell is a former rugby union player and a friend of Prince Harry and Princess Anne’s son-in-law, Mike Tindall. Haskell and Mike are also co-hosts on their podcast, “The Good, The Bad & The Rugby.” In 2024, Haskell sat down for a candid conversation with The Times, where he opened up about his experiences with the royal family. He gave his full disclosure and his opinion of them in the candid interview. The former rugby union player, 39, divulged that despite their illustrious status, the royals might be more relatable than we thought.

The interview, published under the outlet’s “What I’ve Learnt” series, featured discussions about his career, personal life and childhood and details about his time spent with the royals. His relationship with the royals dates back many years, and he has even attended a few royal weddings, such as Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s in 2018 and Mike and Zara Tindall’s in 2011.

“I went to Harry and Meghan’s wedding. I went to Mike and Zara’s wedding,” he told The Times.  

His memories of Mike and Zara’s wedding were exciting, with him even recalling making an “inappropriate” joke about Prince Andrew.

Haskell hasn’t just spent time with Prince Harry and Mike Tindall, though. He has also spent time with other members of the royal family. He and Mike once hosted Princess Anne, Prince William and Princess Catherine on their podcast to discuss the Rugby World Cup. The three are patrons of the Welsh Rugby Union, the Scottish Rugby Union and the Rugby Football Union of England. The episode was entertaining, with Mike describing Catherine as “uber competitive” and Princess Anne asking whether William and Catherine’s three children were as competitive as their parents. 

Haskell commended them for their “amazing work,” acknowledging the role they play. He also explained that despite what people may think, the royal family is like any other family, for better or worse. 

“I’ve spent time with the royals. Some aren’t as great as others. They do amazing work – but they’re also a modern family that’s very dysfunctional,” the former rugby union player shared with The Times.

Haskell is also a monarchist, and he used his platform to educate people on the positive work that the family has done, adding that the role they play matters and acknowledging it. Because he knows them quite well and has engaged with them, Haskell also has a word of advice to those who wish to do away with the monarchy. In his interview with The Times, he said: 

“To those who want to get rid of the monarchy – once they’re gone, they’re gone. There’s no way back from that, so remember that they serve an important role. I love what they do.”

apost.com

What are your thoughts on this? Do you think the royal family is like any other family, too? Let us know what you think, and then pass this along to all the fans of the royals you know!