Former England rugby star Mike Tindall has addressed comments he faced online after he was spotted wearing three medals during The Queen's funeral service at Westminster Abbey. In a special episode of his podcast The Good, The Bad and The Rugby, Mike Tindall who is married to Princess Anne's daughter Zara, spoke about the comments he faced online.
Fans had questioned what the medals were awarded for, given the 43-year-old World Cup winner has no military experience. He was seen wearing his MBE, awarded after his triumph in Australia, and his Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals, handed out in 2012 and 2022 respectively.
Addressing this, Mike responded after his fellow presenter jokily asked him how many years he had served in Afghanistan - in a nod to the question he was repeatedly facing online.
Addressing it, he said: "It has been an interesting one, we've had this discussion on the fact that I hate wearing them anyway.
"I think you would be the same because you class medals as a military honour. Any serviceman, I am deeply appreciative of your service and I have not served anywhere and actually haven't done anything to achieve those medals apart from being in the family.
"So the Jubilee medals, obviously I got married in 2011, so 2012 was her Diamond Jubilee and you get a medal if you're part of the family.
"The people who work in her household get a medal, and if you've been serving in the armed forces for five years, and you're actively in service you get one too.
"So it's harder for [people in the] military to actually get a Jubilee medal unless they served for a long time.
"There's been a lot more as you get a lot more celebrations later in life, so 50, 60, 70, thats where I got one, and the other one was my MBE."
Addressing the debate online, his co-presenter said he raised the topic as the rugby star "got some heat" online.
Mike then replied: "I did get a lot of unnecessary...you don't have to shout at me on social media by the way.
"You can just ask and if you just ask I'll probably reply to you, as one person did.
"I can't control it, you get a uniform list and it says the dress code is strict, you wear a morning suit unless you're military."
Tindall made 75 appearances for England in rugby union and represented Bath and Gloucester during a 17-year professional career.
The 43-year-old married into the Royal Family in 2011 when he wed Princess Anne's daughter Zara, herself an international sportsperson.
She won a silver medal for Team GB in the equestrian team event at London 2012.
