The Duke of Cambridge has given an insight into his close relationship with the Queen, describing the long-standing monarch as "incredible".
In a candid interview, William said the bond between them has gone from "strength to strength" over the years and revealed that he treats her first and foremost as a grandmother rather than the head of state of the United Kingdom.
"I say to people: 'She's my grandmother to me first and then she's the Queen'. Words that come from her I take very personally and really appreciate," said the heir to the throne.
William made the revelations during an interview with journalist Robert Hardman, who was given access to the young royal for his new book Our Queen which is being serialised in the Daily Mail.
He continued: "My relationship with my grandmother has gone from strength to strength. As a shy, younger man it could be harder to talk about weighty matters. It was: 'This is my grandmother who is the Queen, and these are serious historical subjects'.
"As I've got older, she's become an even more important part of my life, so it's much easier. And obviously with the wedding it was a massive help."
"There's no question you can ask, and no point you can raise, that she won't already know about - and have a better opinion about," William said.
"She's very up for that sort of thing. And for me particularly being the young bloke coming through, being able to ask my grandmother, ask her questions and know that there's sound advice coming back is very reassuring."
The RAF helicopter pilot also spoke of how the Queen sent him a letter of congratulations following his trip to meet victims of the Australian floods and New Zealand earthquake earlier this year.
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"It's funny, but when you get a letter from her or a bit of praise it goes a long, long way, more so than anyone else saying 'well done' to you. It's mainly because there's such gravitas behind the words," he said.
