England rugby legend Mike Tindall was sporting three medals at Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral, leaving some TV viewers scratching their heads given Princess Anne's son-in-law has no military experience.
World Cup winner Tindall, 43, accompanied the Queen's granddaughter Zara to Her Late Majesty's state funeral at Westminster Abbey on Monday, September 19, as Britain's longest-serving monarch was laid to rest following her death aged 96.
Tindall, who made 75 appearances for England in rugby union, was invited to the service as one of the so-called minor royals, as opposed to senior royals like King Charles, the Queen Consort and Prince William. Tindall joined the Royal family in 2011 when he wed fellow sportsperson and Team GB Olympic silver medal-winning Zara, who representing Great Britain in the equestrian team event at London 2012.
Both sitting in the front row at the Abbey, they both cut sombre figures, with Tindall donning a black blazer and tie with grey pinstriped trousers - complete with three military-style medals.
The medal on the left, shaped like a cross, is actually Tindall's Member of the British Empire (MBE), which he was awarded in 2007 for his services to rugby, having helped England to a World Cup win against Australia in 2003.
The central medal is the diamond jubilee medal, which was created to mark 60 years of Queen Elizabeth II's reign back in 2012. Made of silver and carrying the late Queen's face and the year of the jubilee, it was awarded to every member of the royal family and members of the Armed Forces who had served for five years or more, emergency services workers, those who already held Victoria and George crosses and operational members of the prison service.
Tindall's third medal was awarded to mark this year's platinum jubilee, which celebrated the Queen's 70-year reign. This medal was given to the same groups of people as above, with around 400,000 being created by the Worcestershire Medal Service.
King Charles III, meanwhile, wore his Royal Navy uniform and full-size medals including the Queen's Service Order (New Zealand), Coronation Medal, Silver Jubilee Medal, Golden Jubilee Medal, Diamond Jubilee Medal, Platinum Jubilee Medal and a Naval Long Service Good Conduct (LSGC) (three x Additional Service Bars).
His heir, the new Prince of Wales, wore the RAF No. 1 uniform with the Garter Sash with RAF Pilot Wings and the Garter Star Chest Order.
The Princess Royal, Zara Tindall's mother and Mike Tindall's mother-in-law, wore a Royal Navy full ceremonial uniform in the rank of Admiral.
READ NEXT:
Eddie Butler heard during Queen's funeral coverage days after his death
'I went to the Queen's funeral and got a close-up view of a moment of history'
Celebrities at the Queen's funeral and why Bear Grylls and Sandra Oh were there
The 'impeccably dignified' way Prince George and Princess Charlotte said goodbye to their Gan Gan
