The funny exchange came after a moment between Sione Tuipulotu and Princess Anne went viral on social media
Mike Tindall was involved in an awkward exchange on his popular rugby podcast when he had to explain that the royal being discussed was in fact his own mother-in-law.
The former England star was chatting on the podcast The Good, The Bad & The Rugby, which he co-hosts alongside James Haskell and presenter Alex Payne.
During a conversation about a recent Six Nations moment involving Princess Anne and Sione Tuipulotu, guest Ben Kayser admitted he wasn’t sure exactly who the royal was.
Referring to the interaction between Tuipulotu and the Princess Royal, Kayser asked: “I don’t even know… who is she exactly? Is it a princess?”
Tindall quickly replied, with a laugh: “My mother-in-law.”
He then clarified her official title, The Princess Royal, prompting Kayser to respond jokingly: “Is it your mother-in-law?! I just don’t want to get it wrong!”
The hosts burst out laughing before teasing the former France international that he should make sure to greet her properly next time, joking he should “give her a hug”.
The exchange followed the widely-shared moment involving Anne and Tuipulotu during the Six Nations Championship earlier this month.
Anne, who has been patron of the Scottish Rugby Union for decades, presented the Auld Alliance Trophy after Scotland’s victory over France.
When Tuipulotu approached her, the pair briefly opened their arms as if going in for a hug before laughing and opting instead for a handshake – a light-hearted reference to a previous awkward moment.
That earlier encounter came when the Scotland captain appeared to lean in for a celebratory embrace following a win over England, only for Anne to step back slightly and place a hand on his shoulder instead, sticking to royal protocol.
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Members of the Royal Family typically avoid hugging members of the public during official engagements, meaning the moment became a light-hearted talking point among rugby fans and royal watchers alike.
Anne has long been known as one of the most sport-loving members of the Royal Family and is a regular presence at rugby matches, particularly Scotland games.
Her connection to the sport stretches back almost three decades after she became patron of Scottish rugby, something she once revealed happened by chance.
Speaking previously on the same podcast hosted by her son-in-law, she explained she was first invited to Murrayfield at short notice to open a new stand before later being asked to take on the patron role permanently.
Since then she has remained a passionate supporter of the game and is regularly seen attending matches and meeting players after big fixtures.
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