Prince William hits back at Mike Tindall over 'One Pint Willy' nickname as he presents Rob Burrow with CBE
11 January 2024, 16:21
Prince William has handed rugby league's Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield their CBEs in a surprise in-person visit.
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The royal dropped by Headingley Stadium in Leeds to present them with their honours.
The pair have raised £15m for motor neurone disease (MND) causes since Burrow was diagnosed with it in 2019.
Sinfield famously carried his childhood friend Burrow over the finish line during the Leeds Marathon last year, picking him up out his wheelchair.
William gave the pair their CBEs in his first royal engagement of 2024 - and took the opportunity to address Mike Tindall's podcast revelation that he was referred to as "One Pint Willy".
"It was you who got the nicknames out of him - he apologised to me about that," William told Burrow as he was welcomed to Leeds Rhinos' stadium. Burrow and Sinfield both played for the Rhinos.
"When I saw him, I said, 'Mike, when you're not going to mention your nicknames - doesn't mean you mention mine, it's not fair'. I'm sure it's quite fun with Mike."
Tindall told Burrow's podcast Seven about the nickname.
"For the Prince of Wales, he is known as One Pint Willy," Tindall - who is married to William's cousin Zara - revealed.
"He is known to me as One Pint Willy because he is not the best of drinkers, coming from a sport where it is built on the social aspect and a couple of beers being sunk quite often.
"That is one I will definitely give away for the Prince of Wales."
Burrow, 41, and Sinfield, 43, were nominated for their charity work and efforts to raise awareness about MND.
Sinfield completed the "7 in 7 in 7" challenge last year - running seven ultramarathons in seven cities in one week.
William described their efforts as "phenomenal" and handed their honours over in front of the pair's wives and Burrow's three children.
"I've brought a special couple of things up with me to give you today," William said.
"I did check with Kevin to make sure you didn't want to go down to London to receive this, but I brought your CBEs up here to give to you today if that's okay, while you're in your home, in Leeds, surrounded by your family and friends. I thought today was a good day."
He told Burrow: "The most amount of thank yous and congratulations for all the inspirational work you've done Rob, you've been amazing and everyone's so proud of you.
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"We've been following your case and all the money you've been raising, and you're changing people's lives with MND."
Burrow said: "It is an honour to accept on behalf of the whole MND community. Days like today allow us to keep the spotlight on the disease and continue to raise awareness and, hopefully, funds to fight the disease and support those who are living with MND and their families.
"It was wonderful that His Royal Highness was able to come to Headingley to see us and very much appreciated. It was lovely to talk to him and for me to meet my family."
