Prince William is “determined to have a really, really private life” and is deeply concerned about protecting his young family, the editor of The Sun has said.

The spotlight has been firmly on the Prince and Princess of Wales in recent weeks as she recovers from her ongoing recovery from abdominal surgery in January.

The comments from Victoria Newton, who has been editor of one of the UK’s biggest-selling newspapers for four years, follow a marked increase in scrutiny of the royals after it emerged a Mother’s Day photograph had been digitally altered by Kate, sparking headlines and social media speculation around the world.

Despite Kate’s subsequent apology over “minor alterations” to the image, the Waleses have been urged to produce the original version (or versions) of the image to dispel rumours as to the extent it had been changed.

But Kensington Palace has remained silent on the issue, with critics arguing that this has allowed even more speculation to take root on social media and even mainstream media outlets in the US publishing unfounded rumours.

The Prince of Wales visiting a youth centre in London on Thursday. (AFP via Getty Images)

The pressure on Kate led to Victoria Newton, The Sun’s editor who has previously spoken to the prince, running a front page saying “Lay off Kate” earlier this week. The paper has taken a supportive stance towards William and Kate.

Speaking to Times Radio on Thursday, Newton said: “I’ve met William quite a few times now [at] various events and I know how deeply he feels about protecting that young family and especially his wife and children.

“He had a difficult upbringing himself with a family that was disjointed and he’s determined to have a really, really private life for his own children.

“He’s really close to them, they always make sure they’re home for bathtime, bedtime. She cooks most of the meals… it’s very different to the life he had growing up. And that’s why he’s so fiercely protective.

“The nonsense that has been written that the marriage must be in trouble because she took her wedding rings off [in the Mother’s Day photo]… have you seen the size of that rock? I can’t imagine she wears that ring most of the time at home. I thought that was really unfair and felt a bit [like] bullying, and that’s why I thought we had to make a stand. I’m glad it’s had an impact.”

Later on Thursday, William made a rare – albeit brief – statement about Kate as he appeared at the Diana awards.

Watch: Duke of Sussex and Prince of Wales avoid each other at event marking Diana’s legacy

Kensington Palace has made only a limited number of statements about the Princess of Wales following her surgery – though it was always said she would return to public life at Easter.

In a speech honouring his late mother at the Diana Legacy Award event in London, William mentioned his absent wife, saying the legacy of the awards was “something that both Catherine and I have sought to focus on through our work”.

But he said nothing else about her, her condition, nor the photo editing controversy that has surrounded the couple.

It was the second time that day William referred to Kate during solo royal engagements, having also praised her creativity during a visit to a youth centre in the capital. As he decorated biscuits, the prince said “my wife is the arty one”.