Kate Middleton and Prince William have a "seesaw" partnership that is the secret to their successful and carefully balanced marriage, a royal expert claims.
Royal author and commentator Katie Nicholl said the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are "stronger than they ever have been", and they take turns being in the spotlight.
The couple celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary on Thursday, sharing two tender portraits to mark the occasion.
The new pictures, which were taken at Kensington Palace by photographer Chris Floyd earlier this week, show William, 38, and Kate, 39, smiling and in a relaxed mood.
The couple are seen cuddling each other in one shot while William stares intently at his beaming wife in the other.
Kate has now spent a decade as a fully signed up member of the Royal Family, an HRH, a duchess and a future queen.
The couple have three children - seven-year-old Prince George, five-year-old Princess Charlotte and three-year-old Prince Louis.
Charlotte will celebrate her sixth birthday on Sunday. Last week, the family celebrated the third birthday of their youngest child, Louis.
Kate and William appear to be thriving on their tin wedding anniversary, and Ms Nicholl told the Telegraph the couple's relationship is stronger than ever.
She suggested the Cambridges have a "seesaw" marriage, meaning they take turns being in the spotlight while the other takes care of the children.
It is said the couple always want at least one parent at home to take the children to school and put them to bed at night.
Ms Nicholl said Kate has been a source of strength and a mentor for William during his rift with his younger brother Prince Harry, 36, and the fallout of Harry and wife Meghan Markle's bombshell interview with Oprah Winfrey.
She said: "He’s had a really hard time with his brother, he’s really struggled with it and she’s been a rock. When he was ill with Covid, she was the one nursing him and pulling it together and putting on a united font.
"She’s really shown the mettle – and he loves that about her – and as such, he’s let her take the lead.”
She added: "William has faith in her but so has the family. When he needs to be in the background, she rises to the occasion, and vice versa.”
Palace sources told the Telegraph that William is there for Kate when she needs support, and a lot of her confidence is down to his belief that she can achieve anything and his encouragement to take the lead at certain public appearances.
Ms Nicholl said the Cambridges' marriage is based on friendship and they are "stronger than they ever have been" as they reach a "turning point" in their lives.
The former university flatmates married after an eight-year relationship.
William is second in line to the throne and it is said that he and dad Prince Charles are planning a summit to plot the future of the monarchy following the death of Charles' father, Prince Philip.
The Royal Family congratulated the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on their 10th wedding anniversary.
A message on the monarchy’s official social media accounts marking William and Kate’s milestone decade of marriage said: “Wishing The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge a very happy wedding anniversary.
“Today marks ten years since Their Royal Highnesses exchanged vows at Westminster Abbey.”
