Kate & Will: Happy Ever After

Lord Alfred Tennyson, the 19th century English poet, wrote "In the spring, a young man's fancy lightly turns to thoughts of love." It's only been a couple of months since the April 29th royal wedding and royal fever is about to hit Southern California as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge begin a three day tour.

Living in the limelight can make it hard to build a successful relationship. Whether a marriage will last depends, in part, on how well the partners prepare for challenges. Here are practical tips to make it work -- for the young royals and for you:

Keep the fun alive. Lightheartedness is often the first casualties of a busy and hectic life. Inject humor and laughter by joking around. It can turn into an affectionate moment that helps you feel closer, loved and even more relaxed. Making time to be playful with each other can often lead to greater intimacy.

Communicate openly and honestly. Talk out misunderstandings before they become full-fledged arguments. Be patient and let go of issues that aren't crucial. And stay engaged. Use the same conversational etiquette that you would with anyone else you care about and respect.

Try to compromise. Be direct yet flexible as you make your way through disagreements. Truly understanding the other point of view can help resolve a conflict more easily and quickly. A gentle touch or quick hug releases oxytocin, a hormone that facilitates bonding as well as reduces stress.

Don't surrender your self. Carve out space in the marriage for your own life. Keep up the friendships and activities that help make you who you are. Your attitude will be more positive, you'll be more interesting and your relationship will reap the benefits.

Be sensitive to your new role as an in-law. Competition may surface if your partner's parents experience you as usurping their relationship with their adult child. Be yourself as you slowly establish the ground rules in your marriage. And include your in-laws from time to time -- it can make a big difference.

Bring out the best in each other. Instead of focusing on the negatives, talk about what you want from each other. Then actually change some of your attitudes and behavior. Invest in your partnership and grow your emotional bank account. These dividends can last a lifetime.

Both Kate and William have personal qualities that can only enhance a relationship that seems off to a good start. They're interested in working together on projects that benefit the Commonwealth of Nations. On Sunday, the royal couple will visit an inner city arts school and attend a job fair for veterans in Culver City. According to palace officials, the goal of the trip is to support the concerns of the U.K. through the lens of the royal couple's interests - perhaps they'll stop by the beach on their way to the airport!