Prince George, the 13-year-old heir to the throne, is receiving grounded mentorship from Zara and Mike Tindall as he prepares to start at Eton College in September, according to royal expert Robert Jobson.
Speaking to The Daily Mail, Jobson highlighted the close, protective relationship the Tindalls have developed with the eldest son of the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The couple offers a unique perspective on leadership, success, and resilience drawn from their athletic backgrounds.
Jobson noted that Zara interacts naturally with the young prince without traditional royal deference, while former rugby star Mike Tindall provides practical life advice that few others in the royal circle address.
"Watch Zara with George, and there is no deference in it," said Jobson, author of Catherine, the Princess of Wales: The Biography.
"She teases him. He is easy with her the way children are easy with adults who want nothing from them."
Jobson explained that Mike Tindall fills a distinct role in George's personal development by tackling difficult topics directly.
"Then there is Mike, who is not a godparent and has become something better," Jobson said.
"He talks to him about losing, the one subject nobody else raises, because everybody else is invested in the boy winning."
Body language expert Darren Stanton told HELLO! that the candid dynamic between Mike and George demonstrates a physical, hands-on bond.
Stanton observed that the Wales family places high trust in the Tindalls to support their children.
"It's clear that Mike isn't averse to getting stuck in thanks to years of playing physical sports," Stanton said.
"It's in Mike's nature to be hands-on and while it's clear from George's reaction here that he's trying to play it cool, you can see he and his 'uncle' have a very fun dynamic between them."
Stanton added that the relationship extends across the entire household, creating a stable atmosphere for all three Wales children.
"The bond and rapport that Mike has been able to develop with William and Kate's children demonstrate how the Royal couple have a lot of trust in him and Zara as fellow parents," Stanton said.
Prince William and Princess Catherine have consistently maintained a private sphere around George while gradually preparing him for his future responsibilities.
The guidance from Zara and Mike Tindall provides an essential balance as George enters his teenage years.
"Zara's gift is the switch," explained Jobson. "She turns out when the family asks.
Balcony, Jubilee, funeral. Then she goes home, earns her own living, gets back on a horse."
George will begin his secondary education at Eton College following his 13th birthday celebrations.
