Kate Middleton has given Prince William everything "that was lacking in his own family life," a royal expert claimed today.
The couple's tight and stable bond is in contrast to the emotionally-fraught home in which William grew up alongside King Charles and Diana, former BBC royal correspondent Jennie Bond said.
She added the Princess of Wales , 41, has therefore "given William everything he didn't have with Charles and Diana".
"There is no doubt that Kate has given William everything that was lacking in his own family life: a loving, deep partnership, founded on friendship, passion, and mutual respect, plus a broader, settled and happy relationship with his in-laws," Jenny told OK!.
"Michael and Carole Middleton welcomed William into their home and treated him like one of the family. He can relax with them, trust them, and be himself in a way he can do with only a very few others."
Kate and William celebrated 12 years of marriage in April. They met in 2001 when they were students in residence at St Salvator's Hall at the University of St Andrews.
William's relationship to Kate has outstripped that of his relationship to his late mother Diana, as she died when he was just 15.
Jennie, BBC's royal correspondent for 14 years, added: "William is much closer to his father these days, but I think it’s the women in his life who have helped make him the man he is. His grandmother, the late Queen, was there for him – as he said – through the happiest and saddest times of his life.
"His mother’s influence is still very much evidence in the relaxed and informal way he interacts with people, and in his determination to help people less well off than himself, in particular, the homeless.
"It was, of course, Diana, who first showed her sons the plight of homeless people. Now, William has said that he wants his own children to be fully aware of how privileged they are and how other people may sometimes need a little help."
A charity boss said last week Prince William’s bid to help the homeless has seen him follow in Princess Diana’s footsteps and be "authentic".
He singled out William’s authenticity - something that sees him following after his mother and her own charity work.
William has been working to raise awareness around issues of homelessness for a number of years.
"And then there is Catherine’s influence: they have known one another now for more than 20 years – longer than William knew his own mother – and she has won not only his deep love, but his respect.
"He might feel a little aggrieved when he is cut out of pictures at events they both attend, but he is proud of his wife for the way she has made such a success of the role that came with marrying him."
