Prince William and Kate Middleton 'shaken to the core’ but marriage is ‘stronger than ever’

The Prince and Princess of Wales have faced enormous challenges during the last six months - but their marriage is stronger than ever

Prince William and Kate Middleton's romance, which blossomed on the quaint streets of St Andrews University, has stood the test of time, proving over the past six months that it's a love story for the history books, resilient to any obstacle life throws their way.

"Happy birthday Papa, we all love you so much! " Kate gushed in a heartfelt message, accompanied by an adorable snap of Prince William and the kids leaping joyfully off a sand dune to celebrate William's 42nd birthday last Friday.

Royal expert and former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie Bond shared her insights, suggesting that the recent photo speaks volumes not just about the couple's enduring bond but also their hopeful outlook.

"The last few months have been a test of their strong partnership," Jennie revealed to OK! magazine, adding, "I think this photograph tells us that they are still able to jump for joy, even in the toughest of times, and that Kate has deliberately chosen a picture that speaks of their optimism for the future."

"She adores William - he is her rock and has supported her so selflessly through all of this and has taken flak from members of the public for not doing more and for devoting himself to her. So she adores her man. I think their marriage is stronger than ever."

Reflecting on Prince William's upbringing in a tumultuous household, Jennie went on to reveal how significant it was for William to be in a happy marriage, after he previously grew up in a broken home following the separation of his parents King Charles and Princess Diana, reports OK!.

Over time, numerous accounts have emerged about the turbulent marriage of Charles and Diana - including tales of a young William consoling his mother by sliding tissues under the bathroom door when he heard her sobbing. Fortunately, William was able to marry for love, with Jennie explaining that William relishes his own model of family life.

"These past few months have been probably the most testing time in the whole of their marriage and must have shaken them to the core. To think about the future must have been incredibly unsettling, but I think that picture has been deliberately chosen to show that they are now all in a frame of mind whereby they can look to the future with positivity," she added.

After the announcement of the princess' surgery and subsequent cancer diagnosis, William was given the opportunity to step back from public life and dedicate himself entirely to his wife and his three children - something which Jennie says will have deepened Kate and William's love for each other even more.

Describing William's commitment to his wife as a "great accolade" to their relationship, Jenny also highlighted how William had faced criticism from the public for his behaviour following Kate's cancer diagnosis, as she explained: "It's a great accolade to a person to have your partner who has such a public role but any partner just say 'OK, I don't care what people say, you are my priority'.

"William has made it absolutely clear that Kate and the children are his number one priority and nothing is going to move him away from that path."