By Anna Pointer,Emma O’neill

Copyright dailyrecord

William and Kate will mark their 15th wedding anniversary next April, and it will undoubtedly be a significant milestone following the challenges and pressures of recent months. “They tend to do things in a low-key way, but it wouldn’t surprise me to see them do something special to recognise 15 years of marriage next year,” says Royal commentator Katie Nicholl. “They’ve been through so much and, of course, each year Kate clocks up will be another year of being cancer-free, which really will be worth marking.” Although the upheaval she and William have endured could drive any couple to their limits, it appears to have had precisely the reverse effect on the pair. “I’ve been with them on many occasions, and when the cameras drop, you’ll often see them walk away and Kate will put an arm around his waist, or he’ll place his hand in the small of her back,” says Katie, who wrote the biography Kate: The Future Queen, reports the Mirror . “There’s a lovely closeness between them, and whereas at the start of their marriage they seemed shy about being affectionate in public, they’re so much more confident now.” According to Royal author Christopher Andersen , who wrote 2022 book The King, a shared “naughty” sense of humour was “one of the most important things that drew them together”. Although he suggests they have toned down the jokes for the sake of young ears around the house, Christopher adds, “They can still make each other double over laughing.” William himself disclosed during their televised 2010 engagement interview, “We’re down to earth. We take the mickey out of each other a lot, and she’s got plenty of habits that make me laugh that I tease her about.” As mum and dad to three lively children, romantic moments might be harder to come by nowadays, but the couple still make an effort to carve out personal time together. In April, after an official trip to the Isle of Mull – which happened to fall on their 14th wedding anniversary – they caught a public ferry to Iona for a short break. Instead of booking into a posh hotel, they chose self-catering accommodation in an isolated countryside retreat. They even posted a snap on Instagram s howing themselves with their arms wrapped around one another and heads touching. It’s also reported that whilst unwinding at Anmer Hall, their Norfolk residence, they frequently slip away for casual evening outings to local pubs, where residents respectfully give them space. Yet matrimonial bliss isn’t always plain sailing, and like any other couple, they face the odd challenging moment. “They’ve been together for nearly a quarter of a century. Of course there are going to be hiccups,” says Katie. Most memorably, they exchanged vows at Westminster Abbey on 29 April 2011, with both appearing blissfully content as they pledged themselves to each other before a television viewership of millions. Since that day, they have brought three youngsters into the world and climbed the Royal hierarchy, with the passing of the late Queen in September 2022 resulting in them taking on their Prince and Princess of Wales roles. “I think they’re stronger, closer and more in control than ever,” Royal author Duncan Larcombe opines. “They’ve had their ups and downs, but there’s no doubt they are flying high. It’s not easy being a member of the royal family, but, as a couple, they seem to be about as together as it gets.” Despite there being no secret recipe for their marital success, the love story of William and Kate took time to blossom, spanning a decade from their initial encounter in 2001 to their nuptials. “When they began dating at university in St Andrews, William enjoyed a total media ban, which allowed him to live quite normally,” Duncan explains. “That helped them build solid foundations, which have often been lacking in other Royal marriages.” Physical attraction has remained a constant in their relationship, too, and on the evening William saw his future wife sashay down the catwalk in a sheer dress at a student fashion show, he famously told pals, “Wow, Kate’s hot!” In the years that followed, body language experts have regularly observed their chemistry – and Kate has frequently broken with Royal protocol by publicly patting William on the bottom. Royal author Tom Quinn, who wrote Gilded Youth: An Intimate History Of Growing Up In The Royal Family, has alleged the couple have engaged in heated rows over the years, claiming they settle disputes through an unconventional yet successful method. “William and Kate throw cushions at each other. It’s always kept under control. It doesn’t escalate,” he has revealed. One matter they are believed to have disagreed on lately concerns George’s education. Currently completing his final year at Lambrook School in Berkshire, reports suggest Kate is hesitant about sending him to Eton, like William and Harry attended, with sources indicating she would favour a more laid-back experience at Marlborough College, where she completed her A-levels. “If Kate badly wants George to go to Marlborough, I think she’ll probably have her way,” says Duncan. “That seems to be the dynamic, not in an unkind way, but she seems like the chief parent.” Should Kate agree that traditional Eton proves more suitable, there would be benefits. Join the Daily Record’s WhatsApp community here and get the latest news sent straight to your messages. “Eton is close to their Adelaide Cottage home, so they’d see George often. That could make it first choice,” says Duncan. Regardless of their choice, Katie believes it will be a thoroughly deliberated decision. “They’re both strong, opinionated people, but I think they’ll always reach a compromise when it comes to George and his future,” she says. They’ll pick what’s best for him, and on that sort of thing they’re absolutely united. They’re a team and that’s how they work.” However, the prospect of raising three teenagers in the near future may present additional challenges. “They’ll have the same parenting challenges that all mums and dads face,” Duncan points out. “There will be potential potholes ahead, but at the moment it’s looking really good for William and Kate.” Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.