Inside William's close relationship with 'second mum' Carole Middleton as the pair 'enjoy a pub outing together': The Prince of Wales 'confides' in his mother-in-law and even 'helps with housework' at her Berkshire mansion

She's been his mother-in-law for 13 years - and over the decades, Carole Middleton has become become not only family but a close friend the Prince of Wales can 'confide' in.

Recently, the pair were reportedly spotted at a 'low key' pub outing in Norfolk, as the Princess of Wales was thought to have stayed at home.

It is understood that Kate's mother was staying with her and William, 41, in Norfolk over Easter - while her daughter is being treated for cancer.

It's no wonder that William and 'second mum' Carole, 69, have over the years formed a bond. One expert in past has also remarked how she has taught her son-in-law 'how a loving and supportive family works'.

She has provided a 'real sense of normality amid any chaos' for the Prince since he married Kate in 2011, royal biographer Angela Levin told The Sun in 2021.

She's been his mother-in-law for 13 years - and over the decades, Carole Middleton has become become not only family but a close friend the Prince of Wales can 'confide' in. Pictured, Prince William, Kate Middleton, Queen Camilla and Carole Middleton on the Prince and Princess of Wales's wedding day

'[Carole] made him feel secure, comfortable and protected and he didn't have to worry about what he said or be responsible for her emotions,' she claimed.

Carole has also been on hand as a supportive, and very involved grandmother to William and Kate's children. 

Speaking to PEOPLE, one palace insider also said that Carole and her husband, who only need to take a short drive from Bucklebury, Berkshire to Windsor, are already 'an enduring factor in the upbringing of their grandchildren'.

In an interview Good Housekeeping, Carole - who has seven grandchildren in total - has remarked that she wants to 'run down the hills, climb the trees and go through the tunnel at the playground'.

'As long as I am able to, that's what I'll be doing,' she revealed. 'I cook with them, I muck around dancing, we go on bike rides.' 

And the Prince has also found someone he can trust and talk to in his mother-in-law. 

Speaking to OK in 2022, royal expert Rachael Andrews said that with Carole and Michael, William has two people to confide in 'who are removed from the monarchy'.

According to the outlet, William has even been known to help out at their Berkshire home by washing the car with his father-in-law. He and Kate, 42, are also said to have stayed there when George was first born.

It's no wonder that William and 'second mum' Carole, 69, have over the years formed a bond. Kate and Carole in 2017

The Prince is also close with his wife's parents because of their united commitment to Kate's happiness and safety.

As reported by Mirror, author Jennie Bond earlier this year told OK that 'attacks' from Omid Scobie's Endgame left William feeling 'guilty and angry because he promised Kate's parents that he would protect and look after her'.

'The attacks from Omid Scobie were vicious, so William will feel guilty because all she's done is fall in love with someone who happened to be a future king,' she said.

'There's obviously a lot of baggage that comes with this – it's a unique and different life which you've got to have a very thick skin for.'

William also found a mother figure in Carole, with him and Kate relying on her support after his brother Prince Harry and Meghan Markle left the UK, a source told The Sun in 2020.

They said: 'William's in-laws have become like second parents and Carole is almost a Diana-Type mum.' 

The insider added that William and Kate visited Berkshire 'quite a few' times following the Sussexes departure.

The Prince is also close with his wife's parents because of their united commitment to Kate's happiness and safety. Carole and Michael in 2022

Recently, the pair were reportedly spotted at a 'low key' pub outing in Norfolk, as the Princess of Wales was thought to have stayed at home. William in 2020

The Prince and Princess of Wales are also sure to be relying on their in-laws as Kate - who recently opened up about being diagnosed with cancer - undergoes treatment.

She is likely to have been doted on by her caring parents after leaving the hospital following a surgery in January.

A few weeks after, Kate's mother was snapped at the wheel of a car driving her daughter - who was pictured for the first time in two months since January - around Windsor Castle.

And the doting parent is at her daughter's side as she focuses on her health.

Speaking to The Independent last month, a source close to the Middletons said: 'Carole has been the driving force keeping the family together with minimum fuss and maximum modesty.

'She's ferried and fetched George, Louis and Charlotte, taken them to school sports matches and given them endless support. She's been a real Mary Poppins-like figure.

'She's come to the rescue, provided reassurance, and has been a rock to Catherine and William as they come to terms with the news.'  

It comes as William has allegedly been spotted on a 'low key' pub outing in Norfolk with his mother-in-law, as his wife apparently stayed at home.

'A patron tells me: "It was all very low-key, with no great fanfare. He just walked in and through the pub. He appeared to be with Carole Middleton,"' The Daily Mail's Richard Eden wrote in today's newspaper.

'There was no sign of Catherine, who is being treated for an undisclosed form of cancer.'

Carole has also been on hand as a supportive, and very involved grandmother to William and Kate's children. Pictured, Princess Charlotte's Christening in 2015

The Prince and Princess of Wales are also sure to be relying on their in-laws as Kate - who recently opened up about being diagnosed with cancer - undergoes treatment. The Middletons pictured on William and Kate's wedding day

Kate is known to be close with her mother. Pictured with Carole in London as they shop years ago

Carole has had a hands-on approach with her children. Pictured with Kate as the pair enjoy a stroll in 2006

Pictured: William and Kate with George and Charlotte, followed by Carole, James and Michael Middleton in 2016

King Charles, Queen Camilla and Kate's parents pictured smiling at William and Kate with George in 2015

Carole has reportedly been supporting her daughter through her recovery at her home in Windsor, with the Princess retiring from royal duties until cleared to return by her medical team.

The Prince broke his social media silence following the tragic news of his wife's cancer diagnosis only on Wednesday, paying tribute to England Lioness Rachel Daly after she announced her retirement. 

daIn a statement shared on the Instagram account ran by the Prince and Princess of Wales, he said: 'Thank you for so many unforgettable performances with Lioneses, Rachel Daly'.

'Plenty more goals for Villa now,' he quipped, with Rachel now focused exclusively on her role as Aston Villa number 9.

The family have kept a low profile in recent weeks as the Princess of Wales takes time to recover amid rounds of 'preventative' chemotherapy to stop the disease.

Prince William, who has not been seen publicly since his wife's announcement, is not expected to pick back up his public duties until his children return to school after the holidays.

In an emotional video message at the end of March announcing the news, the Princess said it had been an 'incredibly tough couple of months' for her family but she was 'well and getting stronger every day'.

She added: 'My work has always brought me a deep sense of joy and I look forward to being back when I am able, but for now I must focus on making a full recovery.'