Is there anything more romantic than spending your wedding anniversary on a work trip away? Not according to the Prince and Princess of Wales, who are choosing to celebrate reaching 14 years of marriage in a remote Scottish cottage on a tour of the Inner Hebrides.

The beautiful islands of Mull and Iona had long been on their ‘wish list’ to visit. During their two-day trip, they will spend the night in a picturesque holiday let, with Kate preparing a home-cooked supper for two with local produce from the islands. On the tour, William will likely remain tight-lipped about what anniversary present he’s bought his wife – but given that 14 years is traditionally ivory (and William is a prominent campaigner against the illegal wildlife trade), perhaps something elephant-related.

The institution of marriage within the Royal Family has a rocky recent history. Acrimonious separations followed by bitter divorces litter the past – none more so than Willliam’s parents, Charles and Diana. It was dubbed the ‘War of the Waleses’ as the pair slugged it out in the court of public opinion over whom had been more wronged with young Williama and Harry caught in the crossfire. In contrast, the current Prince and Princess of Wales are flying the flag for conjugal contentment, after William made clear that he would not enter into marriage lightly unless he was sure it was for life. But they are doing it their way.

How? By putting their immediate family unit first – above royal duties – as evidenced by their decision to break Easter traditions this year. In years gone by, the Waleses have dutifully trooped to St George’s chapel before lunch back at the castle with the King and Queen, but this year they spent Easter in the Norfolk countryside with the Middletons – attending church privately for a church service on the Sandringham estate, leaving via the backdoor despite a small crowd forming hoping to greet them.

With their youngest, Louis, turning seven, and the elder two siblings heading now into their tweens (Charlotte turns 10 in May and George 12 in July) the Waleses’ focus is firmly on maintaining a strong family unit. Their parenting values are very similar because William has always admired the way his parents-in-law, Carole and Mike, created such a happy and tight family (in contrast to his own fractured childhood) and while he was at the university of St Andrews welcomed him into their home as a second son during the academic holidays.

The Middleton way is lots of sport, outdoor activities, mutual love and respect (the Wales children are expected to set the table, wash up and tidy their rooms) and lots of family time spent together. It’s unlikely they have much screen time, let alone phones, because their father has spoken out so vehemently on the dangers of social media and big tech. Kate’s passion for, and huge subject knowledge on, the patterns set in early childhood have meant that George, Charlotte and Louis have had the most ‘normal’ childhood (if a royal childhood can ever be normal) possible.

Official portraits are shared for birthdays and occasional other significant dates, as both William and Kate acknowledge the interest in their children but fiercely guard their privacy. School choices are looming for Prince George, as he will start senior school next September at age 13. Gordonstoun was traditionally the royals’ school of choice but not for the Wales trio. Eton is a frontrunner (like his father), but it’s understood Kate would like to keep all three children together and thus her old co-ed alma mater of Marlborough could be the preferred option.

The Waleses still retain the services of nanny Maria Borallo, who has been with them since George was a baby, enabling them to find time for themselves as busy parents. They enjoy playing tennis against each other on the court at Anmer Hall in Norfolk, and at Windsor Castle, although Kate revealed they’ve never actually ‘managed to finish’ a game because they’re both so competitive.. They also enjoy cold water swimming, sailing and paddle boarding in Norfolk, while date nights are always low key affairs at the local pub.

Their Scottish trip also marks a triumphant return to William and Kate’s domestic mini tours (something she has not been able to do for almost two years). And given that Scotland was where they first started their relationship, at St Andrew’s University in 2002, it’s fitting to celebrate there – but with only one night away from home.

Certainly the old royal rules that dictated the late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh had to spend months travelling the globe to meet their subjects, away from their young children, have certainly been ditched. Even when the Waleses do go abroad, the children have come first (for example the flights to and from Pakistan were timed to enable them to do the school run) but for the time being, the couple have no plans to return to big international visits. Instead William is carving his own path on the international stage, such as meeting President Trump in Paris last year and representing his father and the UK at the funeral of Pope Francis at the Vatican.

The Prince and Princess even seem to be relaxing the rather dated ‘rule’ of stilted royal appearances with no public signs of affection or physical contact. Where once they would only hold hands when they were off camera, now William is much more relaxed in public and Kate was even seen to affectionately pat his bottom on the red carpet at the BAFTAS two years ago. Their candid home videos from last September, announcing that the Princess had successfully finished her chemotherapy, featured exceedingly intimate never-before-seen moments including the couple kissing, lying side by side on the beach and Kate resting her head on William’s shoulder as they embraced.

More than ever, William and Catherine have shown how they will do things their way. Rewriting the royal rulebook to cement and celebrate their enduring love and happy family after the toughest of years.