A source told ‘The Times’ that the Prince and Princess of Wales “approach it as a team,” although Kate sees her role as a supporting one

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From left: Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Prince William and Kate Middleton on Dec. 8, 2016. Photo: Dominic Lipinski-WPA Pool/Getty

Kate Middleton and Prince William are looking to great role models as they prepare for their future as king and queen consort.

A new profile of the Prince of Wales for The Times, published on April 25, looks at what will change when he accedes to the throne, but his wife’s approach to her role isn’t anything new. Princess Kate is reportedly inspired by Prince Philip’s way of supporting Queen Elizabeth, letting her lead while also undertaking important duties within the royal family.

A source who knows both William, 42, and Kate, 43, told The Times that the Princess of Wales is “hugely influential behind the scenes in hiring and decision-making, and they approach it as a team. Like the late Queen and Prince Philip, and the King and Queen, they’re a good double act.”

Sarah Gristwood, author of Elizabeth: The Queen and the Crown, previously shared the same sentiment with PEOPLE. “In one sense, hers and William’s was a modern royal marriage, in that it was a love match. But in another, it has been old-fashioned. She mostly appears as a supportive figure to her husband,” the author said.

Royal biographer Penny Junor added, “She’s never trying to outshine him in any way. 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.”

From left: Queen Elizabeth, Prince Philip, Kate Middleton and Prince William on June 17, 2017.Chris Jackson/Getty

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip were married for 73 years before the Duke of Edinburgh died in April 2021.

For their 50th wedding anniversary, Queen Elizabeth made a rare public tribute to the man who had captured her heart when she was a teenager.

“He is someone who doesn’t take easily to compliments, but he has quite simply been my strength and stay all these years,” she said, “and I…owe him a debt greater than he would ever claim.”

Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip on June 15, 2006.Tim Graham Photo

According to The Times, Princess Kate makes sure her husband can balance royal duties with being a hands-on dad to their three children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis. Although they have the help of a nanny, Kate has been a driving force in making sure they are present parents, including being there for school dropoffs and pickups as well as activities like their sports games. The couple also often reduce their royal duties when the kids are on school breaks so they can spend time together as a family.

“Three words come to mind when I think of William,” the source told the outlet. “Normal, private, control. These are the things he wants: as normal a life as possible; private time for his family; and control over how he organises his life and work. Kate is just as strong on control and privacy as him.”

Prince William and Kate Middleton in London on November 21, 2023.Samir Hussein/WireImage

While Princess Kate prioritizes her supporting role to Prince William, the tables turned last year when she was diagnosed with cancer. (She announced in January that she was in remission.) William — whose father, King Charles, was also undergoing cancer treatment at the same time — was called “amazing” by his wife for supporting her throughout the ordeal.

The source added to The Times, “In that glare of publicity and scrutiny, they are very tight, very close, very strong, and cancer has made them closer and stronger, which is very common in families facing these challenges.”