James Haskell, a close friend of Prince Harry, has shared his views on the British monarchy. The 39-year-old retired rugby player recently spoke to The Times about his mixed experiences with the royal family. "Some members are more impressive than others," he noted. "While they do incredible work, they are also a modern family with their own set of challenges."
Haskell attended both Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding in May 2018, as well as Harry's cousin Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall's wedding in July 2011, where he first met the Duke of Sussex. "For those who advocate for the abolition of the monarchy, remember that once it's gone, it's gone for good," Haskell said. "They play a crucial role, and I greatly admire their contributions."
Haskell and Mike Tindall, 46, are not only friends but also co-hosts of the podcast "The Good, The Bad & The Rugby." They were teammates on the England rugby union team. In the interview, Haskell admitted to making an inappropriate joke about Harry's uncle, Prince Andrew, at the Tindall wedding. "Prince Andrew was sweating profusely on the dance floor, but then he realized everyone was over 18 and left. It was inappropriate, but admittedly funny," he recalled.
Prince Andrew was stripped of his royal and military titles by his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, due to his connections with the late Jeffrey Epstein. His name was among 200 others cited in a settled defamation lawsuit against Epstein. Andrew's accuser, Virginia Roberts Giuffre, alleged she was forced into sexual relations with the prince after being trafficked by Epstein and his associate Ghislaine Maxwell. The Duke of York has strongly denied these accusations.
Haskell described the 2011 Tindall wedding as a blend of ceremony, romance, and enjoyment. "It was a perfect mix of formalities and fun, especially since both Mike and Zara enjoy a good time. Did I wake up the next morning still in my black tie, wondering what I did the night before? Possibly, yes."
In 2018, Haskell attended Harry and Meghan's wedding with his then-wife, Chloe Madeley. The couple, who have a 2-year-old daughter, separated in October 2023 after five years of marriage. "We never planned to separate and made every effort to avoid it," Haskell told The Times. "Chloe is an exceptional person—intelligent and an amazing mother. We must set aside our differences."
Beyond his friendship with Harry, Haskell also has a relationship with Prince William and Kate Middleton. He and Mike hosted the Prince and Princess of Wales, along with William's aunt and Mike's mother-in-law, Princess Anne, on their podcast in September 2023. William, 42, did not address his strained relationship with Harry during the episode, which was recorded at Windsor Castle. Instead, he and Kate discussed their shared history in sports and how they instill a competitive spirit in their three children.
Source link: https://nypost.com
