How to live happily ever after

"Whether you're the future king and queen of England or average people, it's the same. If you can't laugh about it, it's never going to work. Also, liking each other is key to keeping passion burning."
Nora Roberts, best-selling romance novelist

"A wedding should be fun, but you've got to plan for the day after because that begins your life together. Talk about how you're going to live together: in-laws, kids, geography, religion, sex and division of labor. If you have the same expectations, OK. If not, you've got to negotiate a middle ground."
Phil McGraw, aka Dr. Phil, TV host; married for 34 years

"Treat the person you care most about the same way you treat them on Valentine's Day. I'm not talking about bouquets of flowers, candy or heart-shaped cards. I'm talking about something much deeper: having affection and respect, and sharing and communicating."
Jeanne Phillips, aka advice columnist Dear Abby

"Don't rush into marriage. You want to see the person for who they actually are, not the fantasy that blinds you to red flags. And listen to the input of others."
Drew Pinsky, physician, TV host; married 20 years

"Princess Diana was only 19 when she got married. Good Lord! At that age I shouldn't have been allowed to choose my shampoo, not to mention the person I should be with. By now, Kate Middleton [age 29] probably knows better. You can have dire consequences by getting so excited about the wedding that you don't think hard about the marriage that follows."
Elizabeth Gilbert, best-selling author of Eat, Pray, Love; married four years to her second husband

"Kate didn't just get a prince, she got a prince in the romantic sense: He's really looking out for his lady, helping her ease into the media onslaught rather than throwing her to the wolves. That's amazingly decent and chivalrous. It's not a fairy tale, it's real, and that will allow them to have the fairy-tale ending of living happily ever after."
Leslie Carroll, author of Royal Pains, due out next month

"Slow down! Say little things every day to show you care, whether it's saying 'I love you,' tucking a note in their lunch or giving them a compliment. Studies show this makes a significant impact on whether a couple will stay together."
Terri Orbuch, aka The Love Doctor, marriage therapist and author of 5 Simple Steps to Take Your Marriage From Good to Great

"Respect for each other, patience to build a life together and taking care of each other emotionally and physically are the base upon which lasting love is built. As the biggest celebrities on earth at this point, William and Kate are going to need those elements more than anything else."
Vera Wang, wedding dress designer

"The royal family doesn't have much of a track record for staying married. They should talk to his grandmother. Also, you can tell a good marriage by the number of teeth marks on your tongue. Don't say the first thing that comes to your mind. People tend to forget the person they live with deserves as much respect as someone they work with, if not more."
Cokie Roberts, USA WEEKEND contributing editor, NPR news analyst and co-author with her husband of nearly 45 years, Steven V. Roberts, of Our Haggadah, out next month

"At least twice weekly, commit to 30 minutes of kissing and cuddling without the TV on. And don't let more than two weeks go without sex unless there's a major crisis."
Laura Berman, TV host and author of the new It's Not Him, It's You

"Prince William and Kate Middleton should develop a marriage mission statement, such as 'We're going to have two children, we'll be totally faithful, and we'll make sure our children are raised in an environment of love, respect and synergy.' "
Stephen R. Covey, best-selling author, advice guru and USA WEEKEND contributing editor; married 54 years

"Look at the important things; a lasting relationship takes loyalty, trust, passion, friendship and love. Disregard the unimportant ones. Togetherness takes work."
Patti Stanger, TV's Millionaire Matchmaker

"Being in the public eye adds to the strain of a relationship. At times, I worked 16-hour days or took month-long road trips. I made sure she knew she was more important than those obligations by taking time to do things she enjoyed when I was home."
Tony Dungy, former Indianapolis Colts coach, analyst for NBC's Football Night in America, and co-author with his wife of 28 years, Lauren, of You Can Be a Friend

"It's best to go with someone you can laugh with and be friends with, not just the person you have the best sex with."
Simon Le Bon, lead singer of Duran Duran; married 25 years

"Don't sweat the small stuff and focus on the positive. And the sooner you learn to say 'Yes, dear,' the better it is."
Spike Lee, film director and co-author with his wife of 17 years, Tonya Lewis Lee, of the children's book Giant Steps to Change the World

"In challenging times, remember the reasons you fell in love and never take them for granted."
Susan Lucci, soap opera star; married 40 years

"If my wife is passionate about something, she can have it. She loves cats and I'm allergic. We've had cats for 30 years, so you sneeze once in a while. It's a small price to pay."
Jay Leno, TV host; married 30 years