Prince William should be given “credit” for not feeling “jealous” or threatened by his wife Princess Kate’s huge popularity, according to a former royal correspondent.

Speaking to OK! magazine, Jennie Bond explained how William and Kate’s happy marriage was so different to the one between his parents, Prince Charles and Princess Diana, with William keen to learn from the mistakes of the past.

She said: “William deserves a great deal of credit because he has never appeared jealous of the attention that his wife gets.

“He has gently introduced her into what life would be like and has let her shine and constantly demonstrates that he’s hugely proud of her.

“William allows her centre stage without quibble. They are an incredibly strong couple, which gives her a great deal of confidence.”

Royal author Robert Jobson previously noted that the secret to William and Kate’s successful relationship is the friendship between them, which first blossomed when they were students at University of St Andrews together.

He said: “You only have to look at the way they look at each other to realise they are very much in love. And I think that she’s a real asset to not only William but the Royal Family as a whole.”

The couple are due to celebrate their 13th wedding anniversary in April and have three children together – Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis.