Mike Tindall Sparks Controversy with ‘Make England Great Again’ Hat After Six Nations Defeat
Former England rugby star Mike Tindall has found himself in hot water following a controversial fashion choice in the wake of England’s significant defeat to Ireland in the Six Nations championship. Tindall, the son-in-law of Princess Anne, was seen sporting a red cap emblazoned with the slogan ‘Make England Great Again’ during an episode of his popular podcast, ‘The Good, The Bad, & The Rugby’.
The distinctive hat immediately drew comparisons to the signature headwear of former US President Donald Trump, sparking a debate that extended far beyond the rugby pitch. Tindall, who co-hosts the podcast with his former England teammates James Haskell and Sky Sports presenter Alex Payne, had been vocal in his criticism of Steve Borthwick’s team following their heavy loss to Ireland. While the hat’s message could be interpreted as a playful, albeit blunt, reflection of his disappointment with the team’s performance, many viewers perceived it as carrying a much broader, and more problematic, political connotation.
The fallout was swift, with prominent figures and social media users weighing in on the controversy. Broadcaster and political commentator Narinder Kaur was among the first to highlight the issue, sharing a screenshot of Tindall wearing the hat on X (formerly Twitter). She expressed her dismay, stating, “Princess Anne’s son-in-law, Mike Tindall, wearing a ‘Make England Great Again’ cap. People excusing this as ‘rugby’ connected. I did NOT look at that and think ‘rugby’, I thought MAGA.” Kaur further emphasised her strong disapproval, deeming the situation “pretty low” and a “bad look” for someone associated with the Royal Family.
Other users on the platform echoed Kaur’s sentiments, suggesting Tindall’s choice was a deliberate and ill-advised move that could negatively impact the Royal Family’s public image. One X user commented, “Nope, that isn’t going to help the Royal Family. He knows with whom that hat is associated and what it means.” Another user launched a scathing personal attack, suggesting Tindall had “lost his god damn mind” and questioning his judgment, particularly given his connection to the Royal Family, which they described as “taxpayer-funded” and “sucking the life out of Britain.” A further sarcastic jibe pointed out Tindall’s perceived lack of awareness, stating, “For a member of a family that is already deeply in the s***, you have to hand it to Mike Tindall… he really has a talent for gauging the nation’s temperature. Great choice of headwear, Mike.”
Tindall’s Rugby Credentials and Post-Match Comments
Despite the widespread criticism, it’s worth noting Tindall’s significant standing within the rugby world. He was a key player in the England squad that achieved a historic Rugby World Cup victory in 2003, a feat matched by a Six Nations title in the same year. His tenure in the Six Nations spanned an impressive 11 consecutive years, underscoring his deep connection to the sport and his right to comment on national team performances. Tindall is married to Zara Phillips, the granddaughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II, and his final professional appearance for England saw him captaining a victorious match against Scotland in 2011.
In the aftermath of England’s dispiriting 42-21 loss to Ireland, Tindall had already irked Irish fans with his post-match analysis on the podcast. He controversially claimed that the game had been “given” to Ireland by England, stating, “They did not have to do anything to win that game. It was all given to them by England.” He elaborated on this by detailing England’s superior statistics in possession, metres gained, defenders beaten, carries, and territory, arguing that Ireland’s opportunities were largely a result of “ridiculous missed tackles of individual error.”
A Divided Opinion on the Hat
While the ‘Make England Great Again’ hat has drawn significant backlash, a segment of opinion remains supportive of Tindall, particularly within the rugby community. Supporters argue that the context of the hat’s appearance on a rugby podcast, discussing a rugby match, should not be overlooked. One X user defended Tindall, stating, “For the record Mike Tindall was a member of that World Cup winning team. Whilst wearing that hat he was on a rugby podcast talking about England’s poor performance against Ireland & Scotland in this year’s 6 nations tournament.” Another commenter reinforced this point, highlighting the specific nature of the discussion: “It’s an ex rugby player, now rugby commentator, on a rugby podcast called ‘The Good, The Bad, & The Rugby’, discussing England Rugby performance in the Six Nations Rugby Championship.”
Tindall has also faced previous criticism from some rugby fans for his involvement in promoting a proposed breakaway rugby league, R360. While proponents argue it could attract substantial private investment, opponents fear it could signal the end of the domestic Premiership.
Representatives for Mike Tindall were approached for comment regarding the hat controversy.
