Celebrity Traitors star Joe Marler has revealed what it was really like to meet the Royal Family after retiring from his 15-year sporting career. The dad-of-four announced his retirement from rugby back in November 2024, just months before he starred in the beloved BBC spin-off of The Traitors. There, the athlete developed a huge following of new fans and has since allowed him to step into the world of radio and TV.

As he ventures into his new life as a content creator and reality TV star, the 35-year-old veteran sportsman revealed what it was really like to meet the Royal Family. Speaking exclusively to Express.co.uk, following his collaboration with the LEGO Group, he revealed one small detail that Brits may be surprised to learn about the monarchy.

He told us: "It's nice to meet them, they're just nice people, the people I've met. I've met Princess Kate and Prince Harry a couple of times; he was always big into his rugby, and Princess Kate is the patron of the RFU, so she's part of it.

"Princess Anne, I've met a couple of times just in passing in rugby when she does the welcome. And then Mike Tindall, well, he's here, there and everywhere, so although he is a part of the Royal Family, he's not technically a royal. But as Royals go, they're all the ones that I'd like to meet."

It comes after the Traitors finalist reunited with his co-star Mark Bonnar in a head-to-head battle to settle the score through a LEGO Star Wars SMART Play battle. The pair locked horns in three high-energy challenges, which pushed them to think like a Jedi.

Speaking about the collaboration, Joe gushed: "I've always absolutely loved LEGO bricks, and when they brought this LEGO SMART Play campaign to me, I was like, 'What?!'

"I was like, 'Oh my God, it's like you're actually there, like I'm actually in Star Wars'. So that was extra brownie points with my boys, who are absolutely LEGO obsessed."

Head of Marketing at the LEGO Group, Kuran Sharma added: "With LEGO Star Wars SMART Play, the galaxy genuinely plays back. Every swoop or lightsaber clash triggers light, sounds and reaction from the LEGO sets and LEGO SMART Minifigures - so suddenly you're not just building the action, you're in it.

"Watching Joe and Mark take on the challenges, alongside 12-year-old versions of themselves, shows just how many different ways LEGO SMART Play can unlock endless adventures for fans of every age."

Joe Marler and Mark Bonnar go head-to-head in a series of fast-paced challenges with LEGO® Star Wars™ SMART Play™ sets. Watch the full video here.