Prince William has a bond with Kate Middleton’s parents that is reportedly so close he feels as if they are his “second mom and dad,” says a royal reporter. Here’s how Carole and Michael Middleton play an important role in the future king’s life.

Kate Middleton’s parents offer Prince William support and love

Robert Jobson, author of the book Catherine: The Princess of Wales, spoke to Us Weekly about the close relationship between Prince William and Kate Middleton’s parents, Carole and Michael Middleton. He subsequently believes that William found a true sense of family as a member of the Middleton clan.

Us Weekly asked Jobson if he believed the move to Adelaide Cottage in Windsor strengthened William’s bond with the Middleton family. He agreed that the close proximity to Kate’s parents adds to that closeness.

“They’re only an hour away,” Jobson explains. “[Kate’s] very family-oriented and always has been, and that has helped William.”

He continued, “Like Prince Harry, William struggled with the loss of his mother. He was given another family with Carole and Michael.”

Jobson concluded, “From a very early age, even when [he and Kate] were up and down in their relationship, they still stayed very loyal to [William]. I think he counts on Carole and Michael very much as his second mom and dad, really.”

Prince William still very much influenced by Princess Diana

Although Carole and Michael Middleton remain important influences in Prince William’s life, his primary influence is his late mother, Princess Diana. Author Robert Jobson believes William continues to “take his mother’s lead,” particularly when raising his children.

When Us Weekly asked Jobson how important it was for William to do things differently than his father. Jobson said that although Charles did his best, William appeared to defer to Diana’s playbook.

The author referred to the times Diana treated Princes William and Harry like ordinary children, not royalty. “I think he is taking his mother’s lead. It was always Diana trying to introduce them to things like McDonald’s, taking them to Disney World, things that kids would do,” he said.

He continued, “She showed them another side of life, like going on a double-decker bus. I think Diana was very important to William in that respect. However, I have a lot of respect for the king, and I think the king did it his way as well.”

Subsequently, the bond between Kate Middleton and King Charles is equally as strong. These two separate relationships help balance out the family life of the Prince and Princess of Wales.

How strong is the bond between Kate Middleton and King Charles?

Kate Middleton and King Charles share a close bond | Danny Martindale/WireImage

Kate Middleton and King Charles share a unique bond. Us Weekly reports that Charles feels Kate is “the daughter he never had.”

Author Robert Jobson writes in the book Catherine: The Princess of Wales that King Charles “often refers to Catherine as his ‘beloved daughter-in-law’ in public and says she is the daughter he never had. He always greets her with a loving kiss, and her unique strength is not lost on him. They share a close bond and are often photographed together sharing a laugh and a joke.”

“I think the king absolutely adores her. You can see his eyes light up when he sees her. I think he really does adore her actually as the daughter he never had,” Jobson claims.

Kate’s focus on family also ensures that Charles and his grandchildren, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis, have a close bond. Yahoo! Life cites OK! UK, quoting Jobson, “Catherine is very important in the relationship between Charlotte, George, Louis and the King.”

“When William and the king are not necessarily on the best of terms, as sometimes fathers and sons are, it’s always Catherine who will make sure that the king, if he wants to see his grandchildren, sees his grandchildren. And that’s important,” Jobson concludes.

Kate Middleton continues to recover from cancer with Prince William and their children by her side. King Charles, who also battled cancer earlier this year, has returned to full-time public duties for the royal family.