Mike Tindall says Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are ‘happy doing what they’re doing’

Mike Tindall has confessed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are ‘happy doing what they’re doing’ and ‘just want to be with family’ – after hinting at plans to skip his usual Balmoral visit to ‘protect the Queen’.

The former English rugby player, 41, who is married to the monarch’s granddaughter Zara, 39, appeared on Good Morning Britain today to talk about his new podcast The Good, The Bad & The Rugby.

Asked if he keeps in contact with the Duke of Sussex, 35, Mike said: ‘They’re busy doing what they’re doing and I just want them to be happy with what they’re doing and be happy with each other.’ 

He also chatted about the royal family‘s usual summer plans to head to Her Majesty’s Scottish estate Balmoral and confessed that ‘there’s been changes around that’, adding ‘it’s all about protecting the Queen’.

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Mike Tindall (pictured), 41, who is married to the monarch’s granddaughter Zara, 39, appeared on Good Morning Britain today to talk about his new podcast The Good, The Bad & The Rugby 

Asked if he keeps in contact with Prince Harry (pictured with Meghan), Mike said: 'They're busy doing what they're doing and I just want them to be happy with what they're doing and be happy with each other'

Asked if he keeps in contact with Prince Harry (pictured with Meghan), Mike said: ‘They’re busy doing what they’re doing and I just want them to be happy with what they’re doing and be happy with each other’

Appearing on the ITV show, Mike was asked about Harry and Meghan, 39, who are currently thought to be living in Santa Barbara with their son Archie, one.

The couple secretly bought a private family home in the upscale California community in early July, ditching Tyler Perry’s 12-bedroom Beverly Hills mansion for ‘considerable privacy’, Page Six reported. 

Mike commented: ‘Look, they’re busy doing what they’re doing and I just want them to be happy with what they’re doing and be happy with each other.

‘And [Harry’s] stressed that it’s all about his family so you’ve got to support him through that.’

The former rugby player also explained that because of COVID-19, his mother-in-law The Princess Royal’s 70th birthday plans had to be changed ahead of the milestone this weekend.

Mike also chatted about the royal family's usual summer plans to head to Her Majesty's Scottish estate Balmoral and confessed that 'there's been changes around that', adding 'it's all about protecting the Queen (pictured arriving at Balmoral earlier this month)'

Mike also chatted about the royal family’s usual summer plans to head to Her Majesty’s Scottish estate Balmoral and confessed that ‘there’s been changes around that’, adding ‘it’s all about protecting the Queen (pictured arriving at Balmoral earlier this month)’

‘With Princess Anne and her birthday there were plans we had to change but I’m sure we’ll find a way to get together as a family in the appropriate manner,’ he said. 

The parent-of-two continued: ‘I think from their perspective it’s all about protecting the Queen and having her bubble

‘I know it’s been different for this period in terms of where normally people would move up to Balmoral and have their holiday up there, and there’s changes around that.

‘It’s more about protecting one another but that’s the same for any family, wherever you are. All you’re thinking about is protecting one another and coming through the other side of this as strong as you can.’

Mike (pictured with wife Zara in January) also reflected on his time in lockdown, saying he was 'very, very happy' to have the chance to watch his youngest daughter grow

Mike (pictured with wife Zara in January) also reflected on his time in lockdown, saying he was ‘very, very happy’ to have the chance to watch his youngest daughter grow

Mike also reflected on his time in lockdown, saying he was ‘very, very happy’ to have the chance to watch his youngest daughter grow. 

‘We’ve coped, we’re very lucky to be on a farm and have space to let the kids run wild,’ he explained. 

‘With Lena being two-years-old you get to watch her change in front of you and to be at home all the time and see that, it’s something we’ll look back at and be very, very happy about.’

Yesterday, Mike appeared via video link on The One Show and was asked if Her Majesty sent his children money in the post on their birthday. 

Mike said: 'With Lena (picture with her mother in 2019) being two-years-old, you get to watch her change in front of you and to be at home all the time and see that, it's something we'll look back at and be very, very happy about'

Mike said: ‘With Lena (picture with her mother in 2019) being two-years-old, you get to watch her change in front of you and to be at home all the time and see that, it’s something we’ll look back at and be very, very happy about’ 

‘No my mum and dad still do though,’ he said, before adding: ‘It doesn’t arrive in the post from the Queen.’

The parent-of-two also touched on Lena’s personality, admitting: ‘I’m not enjoying where she is right now.’  

‘She’s learnt how to get out… when she is asleep. This morning she managed to wake up Mia,’ he revealed. 

Mike’s podcast – which he hosts with fellow rugby player James Haskell and presenter Alex Payne – is out today.