The royal family is "very dysfunctional" and some members "aren't as great as others", according to James Haskell

He told The Times newspaper: "I've spent time with the royals. Some aren't as great as others. They do amazing work - but they're also a modern family that's very dysfunctional.

"I went to Harry and Meghan's wedding. I went to Mike and Zara's wedding."

He went on to insist the royals play an important part in the world and they should remain in place.

James added: "To those who want to get rid of the monarchy - once they're gone, they're gone. There's no way back from that, so remember that they serve an important role. I love what they do."

It comes after James' rugby pal Mike opened up about what life is like being married to King Charles' niece Zara.

In his book 'The Good, the Bad and the Rugby - Unleashed' - which he co-wrote with James and Alex Payne - Mike insisted the royals don't live in a world like TV show 'Downton Abbey'.

He wrote: "I'm sometimes asked if the Queen did informality like 'normal' people, and the answer to that is yes.

"Her life wasn't like an episode of 'Downton Abbey', with meals on long tables and everyone dressed in their finery every night."

The 45-year-old star used to enjoy settling down to "watch the racing" with the Queen - who died aged 96 in September 2022 - comparing it to how "lots of people" spend time with their grandmother.

He added: "Zara and I would often watch the racing with her on TV, as I'm sure lots of people reading this have done with their gran."

Mike also recalled enjoying "relaxed" lunches, with more a focus on "spending precious time" with loved ones rather than keeping up appearances.

He wrote: "Lunches were also relaxed, especially up in Scotland, where lunch would often be heading out into the open space of the Scottish Highlands for a picnic.

"There's a great picture of my daughter Mia sitting with the Duke of Edinburgh that captures exactly what those afternoons were like: members of a very close family who loved each other dearly spending precious time together."