William and Kate open up about their friendly rivalry in surprise podcast appearance

The Prince and Princess of Wales have delighted royal watchers and rugby fans everywhere with a candid appearance on the rugby podcast, The Good, the Bad, and the Rugby. 

The podcast was hosted by former England rugby player, Mike Tindall, who is married to Prince William’s cousin, Zara. The podcast took place at Windsor Castle where William and Kate appeared alongside Tindall’s mother-in-law and William’s aunt, Princess Anne.

The podcast was held in honour of the 2023 Rugby World Cup which kicked off in France last weekend. On the agenda was all things rugby, sport in general, and the well-known rivalry between the king-in-waiting and his glamourous but super sporty spouse.

Watch the full episode now: https://t.co/MtGmPzG3RL

— The Good, The Bad & The Rugby (@GoodBadRugby) September 10, 2023

When Tindall questioned the two about their amicable competitiveness, Kate joked, “I don’t know where this has come from.”

About their ongoing friendly sporting feud she added, “I don’t think we’ve actually been able to finish a game of tennis. It becomes a mental challenge between the two of us.”

Prince William confirmed that they try to “out-mental” each other.

On the subject of whether their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis had inherited their parents’ competitive natures, the Princess Royal chimed in, “just a little bit, I think”.

But Kate added that her children all have different temperaments and as they grow and try new sports, it’s going to be interesting to see how that grows and develops.

Followers of the podcast were absolutely delighted to see the three royals, all ardent rugby fans, on the podcast.

Gold. A happy positive family.

— B???????? (@MosmanBarb) September 11, 2023

This was absolutely brilliant! Absolutely loved it! Hopefully they’ll be on again in the future to talk more things sport! ????????????????????

— Louise (@LouiseMM90) September 11, 2023

A great watch. Really enjoyed it.

— Jayne Howard (@pevenseyjayne) September 10, 2023

Loved the podcast ????????????

— itweeter (@itweeter8) September 10, 2023

???????? Hilarious. Mike Tindall has struck gold. More please.@GoodBadRugby #PrincessAnne #PrincessofWales #PrinceWilliam #RWC2023

— Curious (@Curious37430953) September 10, 2023

The three royals also spoke about past sporting events that had moved them.

Prince William admitted that the “only time” he’d cried watching sport was when cousin Zara won an equestrian competition.

“I think it was the European championship,” he said.

The Princess of Wales confirmed that William had never been so proud of anyone.

Later Princess Anne confessed to regretting missing UK tennis ace, Andy Murray’s game when he won a gold medal event.

The love of rugby clearly runs strong in the veins of the three senior royals. Prince William is the patron of the Welsh Rugby Union, the Princess of Wales is the patron of the Rugby Football Union and the Princess Royal is the patron of the Scottish Rugby Union.