The sweet sign Prince Charles and Camilla are extremely fond of their grandchildren

A royal expert has suggested there is "a little tension" between Duchess Catherine and her in-laws, Prince Charles and Camilla, as the couple would love to spend more time with their grandchildren - proving just how fond they are of the Cambridge clan.

• Kate Middleton's parents, Mike and Carole, play a big part in Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis' life
• A royal expert says the Middleton's have a bigger influence on the children than Prince Charles and Camilla - much to their dismay, at times. 
• It follows royal news that Kate Middleton is the inspiration behind this new playground at the Sandringham Estate.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge's close relationship with Kate Middleton's parents have been known to cause tension between the couple and Prince Charles and Duchess Camilla, according to a royal insider.

While onlookers might assume that the royal family would have the biggest influence on Prince George, seven, Princess Charlotte, five, and two-year-old Prince Louis, the Middleton family are arguably more involved than Prince Charles and Camilla.

Speaking on Channel 5's When the Middletons Met The Monarchy, royal expert Tom Quinn said, "I suspect everyone thinks that in terms of the children, the royal family will inevitably have the most influence, but that is entirely wrong.

“It will be the Middletons that have the influence because the royal family is too formal, it's too stuck in its ways.”

Prince William and Duchess Catherine have made no secret that they'd like to raise their children in as normal a way as possible, and turning to the Middletons no doubt helps the couple remain grounded.

In a sweet nod to just how much Charles and Camilla adore their grandchildren, fellow royal biographer, Jennie Bond, claims the split of time can often cause tension between the families.

She explained, "I suppose there is a little tension at times between who gets to see the grandkids the most.

“Kate will always turn to Carole for help, advice guidance, and just get together and romping around with the kids - possibly before she would get together with Camilla and Charles.”

Prince Charles - who has spent lockdown at Birkhall, previously admitted he's found it difficult being away from family during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

While technology has eased the distance, it's no match for physical contact.

"I haven't seen my father for a long time, and he's going to be 99 next week," Charles told Sky News in 2020. 

"So I've been doing FaceTime, [it's] all real well but... well, it is terribly sad.

"But I mean, fortunately, you can speak to them on telephones and occasionally do this sort of thing. But it isn't the same, is it? You really want to give people a hug."