Prince William and George Have Found a 'Tower of Support' in an Unlikely Royal, Claims Expert
In the royal family, few relationships are as easy as the bond between Prince William and his cousin Zara Tindall. As per reports, Zara has become a steady source of support for the heir apparent and his eldest, Prince George. Though she's not a working royal, Zara has long been described by royal insiders as one of the family’s most dependable figures, just like her mother, Princess Anne. Her ease and warmth with both generations of future kings have made her an ‘anchor’ amid the monarchy’s changing dynamics.
This bond goes back to when George was christened on October 23, 2013. Breaking tradition, the Prince and Princess of Wales chose Zara as one of their son’s godparents. This was seen as a surprising decision, given that past monarchs often selected high-ranking royals or foreign dignitaries for the honor. Even William’s own godparents reflected that formality: King Constantine II of Greece, Princess Alexandra, and the Duchess of Westminster, alongside family friends like Lady Susan Hussey and Sir Laurens van der Post. Reflecting on the personal choice of Zara, royal journalist Victoria Arbiter explained that it spoke volumes about his priorities.
"For William in particular, trust is everything, so when you've got a cousin that understands what it is to be a member of the royal family, but they don't have the same pressures associated with it, they can be a tower of strength and support,” Arbiter told the Daily Mail. Over the years, Zara’s reliability has naturally also extended to William’s children. She and her husband, Mike Tindall, are often spotted laughing and chatting with George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis at public events. 'Fun uncle' Mike has also reportedly filled the hole that Harry left when he relocated to California.
"George’s original ‘fun uncle’ and adult playmate did that infamous bolt to the US, leaving a huge Harry-shaped gap in the young boy’s life that Mike has more than filled,” body language expert Judi James told The Sun. Her observation goes beyond surface affection. James emphasized that Mike’s cheerful irreverence helps balance the weight of royal expectations placed on George. "He (Mike) will joke with the royals, but he won’t be critical or indiscreet,” she noted. Recalling a tender Christmas moment in 2023, where the former rugby player was seen hugging and kissing his nephew, James opined, "He will probably always treat George as he would treat his own children, i.e., playfully and with a complete lack of protocol."
While William and George share an easy bond with Zara and Mike, Charlotte has grown equally close to their daughter, Mia Tindall. During Princess Kate’s cancer diagnosis, Mia became a cheerful source of comfort and distraction for Charlotte. “What happened to Charlotte’s mom shocked everyone, but energetic Mia was the perfect distraction for the Princess throughout those scary months of 2024," as reported by the Royal Insider. A source also told the outlet, “Kate and Zara [Tindall] are happy to report their girls have formed a friendship for life.”