Best man controversy for Zara Phillips’ groom?

Zara Phillips’ wedding to Mike Tindall is at the centre of a power “struggle” between Buckingham Palace and the rugby star.

Reports recently suggested the palace would prefer if Mike’s best man Iain Balshaw was replaced by future brother-in-law Peter Phillips, with concerns being raised about the raucous behaviour of sports stars around Zara’s grandmother Queen Elizabeth.

A source told Britain’s Daily Telegraph: “There is a bit of a struggle over who is really in control of this wedding at the moment.

“Would Buckingham Palace prefer it if someone safe like Peter were to be best man rather than Iain? Of course they would.

“Would Mike stand for it? Of course he wouldn’t.”

Former England rugby captain Lewis Moody previously claimed Iain was a “monkey” and there was “plenty of smut” on Mike’s behaviour to look forward to in the toast.

He said: “A northern monkey delivering a speech in front of the royal family isn’t going to go down to well.

“There’s plenty of smut on Tind, so I’m sure it will be very entertaining. I’m sure Iain’s absolutely bricking it.”

However, fellow sports star James Simpson-Daniel – one of the groomsmen – thinks Iain would be great at the job.

He said: “Balsh has some great stories on Tins. And he’s a great public speaker. I’m really proud to be a groomsman, I’ll be honoured to park all the flash cars for him.”

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