'The dress code is strict': Mike Tindall responds to backlash about wearing medals
The former rugby player, who is married to Queen Elizabeth's granddaughter Zara Tindall, explained the reason behind his attire at the service.
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Mike Tindall has spoken out about comments he received on social media for wearing medals to the Queen's funeral. The 43-year-old has no military experience, yet he wore three medals - his MBE, awarded after his triumph in Australia at the World Cup, and his Diamond and Platinum Jubilee medals, handed out in 2012 and 2022 respectively.
Speaking on his The Good, the Bad and the Rugby podcast Mr Tindall responded to a joking question made by his co-host over how many years he had served in Afghanistan.
He said: "It has been an interesting one, we've had this discussion on the fact that I hate wearing them anyway.
"I think you would be the same because you class medals as a military honour.
"Any serviceman, I am deeply appreciative of your service and I have not served anywhere and actually haven't done anything to achieve those medals apart from being in the family.
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"So the Jubilee medals, obviously I got married in 2011, so 2012 was her Diamond Jubilee and you get a medal if you're part of the family.
"The people who work in her household get a medal, and if you've been serving in the armed forces for five years, and you're actively in service you get one too.
"So it's harder for [people in the] military to actually get a Jubilee medal unless they served for a long time.
"There's been a lot more as you get a lot more celebrations later in life, so 50, 60, 70, that's where I got one, and the other one was my MBE."
While addressing the "heat" he received online, Mr Tindall explained why he wore the medals.
He added: "I did get a lot of unnecessary...you don't have to shout at me on social media by the way.
"You can just ask and if you just ask I'll probably reply to you, as one person did.
"I can't control it, you get a uniform list and it says the dress code is strict, you wear a morning suit unless you're military."
Mike and Zara Tindall married in 2011 and have three children - Mia, Lena and Lucas.
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