Jessica Palmer wouldn’t have “been so tactile” with England rugby star Mike Tindall if Zara Phillips had been there, Palmer’s friend has admitted.


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Palmer, 29, caused controversy when she was spotted flirting with Tindall – her former boyfriend – at Altitude bar in New Zealand last month, not long after he married Phillips, the Queen’s niece.

“Jess knew Zara wasn’t going to be there,” the friend told the Daily Mail.

“Mike asked Jess if she was coming as he knew Zara wouldn’t be able to. I doubt they would have got so drunk or been so tactile if she had been there.”

Leaked camera footage showed blonde Palmer kissing Tindall before pulling his shaved head into her exposed breasts, but pals say nothing untoward happened and that Palmer is now embarrassed by the attention.

Former classmate Vanessa Rooth, 29, said: “Jess stayed with me so she could attend [Zara and Mike’s] wedding. I have spoken to her and she’s upset as this has been blown out of all proportion.

“She’s friends with Zara through Mike; she’s been around their house and helped them celebrate when they got engaged and married.

“Jess and Mike started off as close friends, had a relationship, but then it petered out and they’ve remained close friends.”