This Royal Cousin Just Showed Prince William Doesn’t Need Harry and Meghan Back
Prince William already has the coolest royals by his side, perfectly establishing why he won't be needing Prince Harry and Meghan Markle back in the royal fold anytime soon.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s decision to step back as senior working royals and subsequent move to the US was a major blow for Prince William. As the Sussexes remain firmly based in California, Zara Tindall, as well as her family, have since stepped up to fill the gap. Their latest outing, being a perfect example of this, suggests that the Prince of Wales already has the coolest royals by his side, perfectly establishing why he won't be needing the Duke and Duchess of Sussex back in the royal fold anytime soon. The brothers’ strained relationship remains difficult to ignore. But with mounting responsibilities, William is said to be taking some decisive steps.
If senior royals like King Charles, Queen Camilla, and Princess Anne gradually reduce their workloads, he has now allegedly turned his attention to who can step forward for the monarchy. That reality was on full display at Cheltenham on New Year’s Day, where Zara and Mike Tindall attended the event with their kids, Mia, Lena, and Lucas Tindall. Her brother Peter Phillips was also present, along with his daughters Savannah and Isla Phillips. While the race was definitely thrilling, it was the Tindall kids who truly stole the show. They were pictured cheering loudly at the winners, while Lucas seemed determined to run about and play.
Neither of Princess Anne’s children are working royals. Instead, they have carved their own paths, with Peter running his own business and Zara managing her equestrian career as well as other private businesses. Despite that, she has remained quite close to William and has consistently proven to be a loyal member of the family, sometimes even stepping in for other royals. For instance, in June 2025, she presented the Royal Windsor Cup trophy, during which, as per the Express, she was noted as “stepping in for the King.” Along with this, she has also been photographed attending major family and state events such as Trooping the Colour and the royal annual Christmas walkabout.
While she has always participated in more of a supportive capacity, reports have previously suggested that the Prince of Wales is considering asking his royal cousin to oversee equestrian-related functions once he becomes King, such as the Royal Ascot. Given her illustrious career in the sport, even winning an Olympic Silver medal in 2012, it's no wonder William considers her perfect for this role. Her husband, Mike, is also not far behind when it comes to lending a shoulder of support to the Prince of Wales. He has often attended royal events alongside his wife and is widely known for his down-to-earth demeanor and cheeky smile, as Harry once was before leaving the royal fold.
Apart from the elders, even the kids share a good rapport, with Princess Charlotte being close friends with Zara and Mike’s daughter, Mia Tindall. William has previously said that “it’s very special” for him to watch the cousins enjoy each other’s company. Mike has also opined that, “Our kids are very, very close, which is great for the kids that they’re always going to have some cousins and those cousins are going to be the same age and can grow up with them.” So, if William and Kate are looking for a family they can rely on without uncertainty, the Tindalls would definitely be the front-runners.
