A close friendship between Prince William and Mike Tyndale has become a secret in royal circles. As the heir to the English throne, there is a relaxed friendship between William and former England rugby player Mike Tyndall, which helps William relax from the pressures of his future role.
Experts say their friendship is based on mutual respect, a shared interest as fathers, and Mike's ability to make William "indirectly" happy through his light-hearted behavior.
William and Mike come from different backgrounds, but they found common ground through their love of sports. William and his brother Harry were both avid rugby fans in their youth, and they would play England. It was through these interests that William developed a close relationship with Zara.
Cousins often joke and chat at family gatherings. When Zara began dating England rugby star Mike Tyndall in 2003, Willian was more than happy to welcome the passionate athlete into his family.
In the past 20 years, the tacit understanding between William and Mike has developed into a true "brotherhood". There's a close, brotherly bond between them, and it's all evident that Mike hugs William or strokes William's son George's hair.
Royal commentator Victoria Abitel said: "Obviously Mike broke the royal constraints, and he and William are so close together. "Part of the compatibility between them stems from Mike's unpretentious personality. Unlike other royal relatives, he was never bound by etiquette, which earned him the affection of the egalitarian William.
What's more, Mike understands the pressures of royal life through his marriage to Zara, but he is not defined by these pressures. This makes him a "strong supporter and supportive force" for William, who Abitel notes is someone William can really confide in and put his guard down.
Mike understands his unique role in the family and also exists outside of the family, so he can tease and joke in ways that others are afraid to try. The deep sense of trust between them meant that Mike could make jokes, such as giving William the nickname "Willy", as William was a weak drinker.
Of course, their light-hearted friendship is also based on a shared interest as loving family members. William and Mike are both passionate about fatherhood roles, and they love watching their children, including Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, play together.
Over the years, they have seen each other's family interactions deepen their friendship. They also attend events together through shared interests, such as polo and rugby matches, laughing and cheering on the players in the audience.
Above all, experts believe William appreciates the much-needed fun and light-hearted vibe that Mike has injected into his rigorous royal life. As the future king, William must uphold the dignity and responsibility of his future role. But in front of Mike, he can temporarily let go of the rules and be himself.
According to biographer Ingrid Seward, Mike "became more humorous and completely uninhibited under the influence of alcohol," and William could no longer show these behaviors in public. But through their close friendship, he finds an outlet to experience the joy of freedom "indirectly", at least sometimes.
People who know William say he enjoys these moments of escape and normal life that Mike offers. At polo games and racetracks where they socialized together, William was often seen laughing happily with his cousins and apparently at ease.
While their personalities and backgrounds are very different on the surface, they share mutual understanding and respect deep down, which makes their friendship one of the most beloved "brotherhoods" in royal circles.
Through the ups and downs, William knows that he will always have Mike, his right-hand man who is happy to have fun, to help him forget the crown for a while and become a normal man.
Their bond reminds the future king that even in his splendid, high-pressure life, light-hearted moments with good friends are all there is value.