Kate Middleton and Prince Philip Are Alike in One Particular Way

Though more than 60 years stand between them, Kate Middleton and her husband’s grandfather, Prince Philip, have more in common than meets the eye.

According to Sarah Gristwood, the author of Elizabeth: The Queen and the Crown, the Duchess of Cambridge’s marriage to Prince William is at once modern and old-fashioned — not unlike the Duke of Edinburgh’s marriage to Queen Elizabeth.

“In one sense hers and William’s was a modern royal marriage, in that it was a love match,” Gristwood told People of the Cambridges’ relationship. “But in another it has been old-fashioned. She mostly appears as a supportive figure to her husband.”

“She’s never trying to outshine him in any way,” royal biographer Penny Junor told People. “I think that Kate is a bit like Prince Philip supporting the Queen. She doesn’t outshine William but still has a lot to say herself.”

Of course, the Duchess is a star in her own right and she should shine no matter what her husband's job is. It appears, however, that Philip and Kate both recognize the duties that their spouses were born into and make that a priority.

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip’s dynamic doesn’t sound like a bad one to emulate — the couple shares four children and has been together for going on 73 years.