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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Jennifer Newton

Prince William's bond with the Queen 'massively improved' before her death, says expert

Prince William paid a tear-jerking tribute to his grandmother the Queen revealing she steered him through the happiest and saddest days of his life.

The new Prince of Wales spoke of the vital guidance his grandmother gave not only him but his wife Kate, the new Princess of Wales and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.

Just weeks ago, William and his family upped sticks from their London home of Kensington Palace to move to Adelaide Cottage on the Windsor estate to be closer to the Queen at Windsor Castle.

And according to one royal expert, this came as the prince's bond with his grandmother "massively improved" in recent years.

Prince William with his late grandmother the Queen (Getty Images)

For the latest updates as the world mourns the Queen and King Charles III's reign begins, follow our live blog.

Writing in the Sunday Times, royal editor Roya Nikkhah said: "Not long ago, William also told me that he felt that his relationship with his grandmother had "massively improved" in recent years - "I think because I'm learning more from her and out views on the future, together with my father, are more aligned than ever."

In recent years, the Queen began to wind back her diary, and William became more and more relied upon by the royals.

Whether it's been involved in family decision-making, handling scandals, or carrying out sensitive engagements, William has been at the centre of it all.

The Queen with her grandson William and his wife Kate, the new Princess of Wales (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

In fact, earlier this year, Mirror royal editor Russell Myers referred to William as a "trusted lieutenant" of the Queen.

Meanwhile, yesterday the Prince of Wales admitted the death of his beloved "Grannie" the Queen doesn't feel real in an emotional tribute to her.

The new heir to the throne echoed one of the late Queen's most famous quotes in the moving message, saying "grief is the price we pay for love".

He also pledged to support his father, King Charles III, "in every way he can" as he becomes the new Prince of Wales, with Kate taking the title of Princess of Wales.

The Prince of Wales on a walkabout to meet members of the public at Windsor Castle yesterday (PA)
William and Kate with Prince Harry and Meghan Markle on a walkabout in Windsor (Getty Images)

He said: "I have had the benefit of The Queen’s wisdom and reassurance into my fifth decade. My wife has had twenty years of her guidance and support. My three children have got to spend holidays with her and create memories that will last their whole lives.

"She was by my side at my happiest moments. And she was by my side during the saddest days of my life. I knew this day would come, but it will be some time before the reality of life without Grannie will truly feel real."

Meanwhile, William masterminded the emotional reunion which yesterday saw him, Harry, Kate and Meghan stand shoulder to shoulder once more.

In astonishing scenes the couples appeared – without prior notice – to inspect a sea of floral tributes at Windsor Castle.

The symbolic show of strength for mourners was a fitting tribute to their beloved gran the Queen.

* This weekend, the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror celebrate the life of Her Majesty the Queen with a commemorative special filled with all the key moments from Britain’s longest reigning monarch. Be sure to pick up your copy of the Daily Mirror and Sunday Mirror to get poth pullouts.

You can leave your tributes to Queen Elizabeth II here.

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