Dining with royalty might sound like an exquisite experience, but ex-rugby ace James Haskell found it slightly underwhelming.
The 39-year-old had the honour of visiting Windsor Castle for a luncheon with Prince William and Kate Middleton last September, courtesy of Mike Tindall’s invitation.
Tindall’s wife Zara, Princess Anne’s daughter, was present as well, alongside the 74-year-old Princess Royal herself at this intimate event, which later featured on ‘The Good, The Bad and The Rugby’ podcast that Haskell co-hosts with Tindall and broadcaster Alex Payne.
Haskell, who boasts 77 England caps – just edging past Tindall’s 75 – was less than thrilled by the refreshments on offer, joking to the Daily Mail about his expectations of lavish spreads only to be met with a disappointing array of biscuits, the Scottish Daily Express reports.
Irked by the limited selection, Haskell shared: “I expected big trays loaded with scones and exotic fruit tarts. ‘Instead, I got a couple of broken rich teas and what appeared to be a half-eaten malted milk.”
Not only did he face biscuit disappointment, but also a minor rebuke when, in need of nourishment, he produced a M&S sandwich, only to be ushered away into a corridor.
During their conversation, Haskell disclosed he once considered playing rugby for Wales – a revelation that prompted Prince William, also the Prince of Wales, 42, to jest: “You wouldn’t have got in the team.”
Haskell retorted: “Do you know how many Welsh fans have said that? I would have won more Grand Slams if I had, but I wouldn’t have got on the team. I trialled for Wales under-18 team at the same time as England under-18, and I got named in both squads.
“I went straight to my dad and said that it was two years with England and only one with Wales, so I had to phone the Welsh guy and say I was going with England. He said ‘I don’t understand that, what do you mean? ‘ You’re more Welsh than anyone.’ And now my name is mud and that is why they all hate me in Wales.”
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