The Duchess of Cambridge will one day become Queen Consort, but as each day brings her closer to the throne, she constantly looks to a role model for many in the UK and abroad: of Queen Elizabeth, PEOPLE magazine says that Kate "looks to the reigning Empress for timeless wisdom, with her unique PEOPLE magazine says of Queen Elizabeth that Kate "looks to the reigning Empress for timeless wisdom, while putting her own contemporary spin on the role.

Her Majesty has been on the throne for over 70 years, a record length of time. Catherine has learned by observing," Sally Bedell Smith, the queen's biographer, told PEOPLE. 'Queen Catherine has learned by observing. She would have absorbed a lot from this queen."

The magazine points out that the two women are 56 years apart in age, but PEOPLE writes that "the queen and Kate share important qualities necessary for the job: a quiet stoicism, a certain thoughtfulness, and a firm loyalty. Their opinions on contentious political issues are never heard, their commitment to the throne is unwavering, and their public image is tightly controlled." Kate also embodies the queen's unofficial motto in public life: 'Never complain, never explain,'" PEOPLE writes.

While it is unlikely that Kate received explicit instruction from Her Majesty, historian Sarah Gristwood says that the Queen may have approached her relationship with her granddaughter-in-law in the same way she does with her prime minister.

"The Queen has always preferred to do rather than say," says Gristwood, author of Queen Elizabeth and the Crown: The Queen and the Crown. In an audience with the prime minister, if any actual advice is given, it is not actual instructions, but only a modest 'I think that went well.'"

Kate is willing to adapt to royal life, even mirroring the queen's style by regularly wearing jewelry borrowed from Her Majesty and, as the queen is famous for, wearing bright colors at royal functions.

"It is an attitude of personal submission to the demands of the institution of the royal family," says Gristwood. 'It sounds like an unattractive virtue, but it's important if one is to succeed as a cog in the royal wheel.'

Someday - hopefully in the far distant future - the Queen's great reign will end. When that time comes, Her Majesty the Queen remains confident that Kate and her husband Prince William will do a great job representing the royal family.

The couple "represent the Queen perfectly," Bedell Smith says. 'They are showing the kind of dedication that would make the queen proud. And it probably gives her hope.