Prince William has described the honeymoon with his new wife as “magical and amazing” in new details announced by Clarence House.

The newlyweds spent 10 days in the Seychelles, staying at North Island, voted “Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort” 2010 World Travel Awards.

The details were only revealed today owing to an agreement to respect their privacy while they were away.

They stayed in booked Villa No 4 – one of a handful of luxury retreats scattered across the island – which costs almost £4,000 a night. But the pair had been forced to downgrade from a £6,000-a-night honeymoon villa as its location in the ¬Takamaka Forest was deemed to be less secure.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge “thoroughly enjoyed their time together, and they are grateful to the Seychelles government for their assistance in making the honeymoon such a memorable and special 10 days,” a Clarence House spokesman said in a statement earlier today.

It is thought that William and Kate were so delighted with the peace, quiet and absolute privacy they received during their stay, that on their last day they invited the Seychelles coastguard ashore to personally thank them for their efforts in ensuring they were undisturbed.

Prince William told staff: “One of the main reasons we came here was because it’s a ­country that looks after its own environment, which is something that is close to my own heart.” North Island in particular prices itself on its eco credentials, and led to it being voted “Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort 2010” by World Travel Awards.

Meanwhile, the head of the Seychelles tourism board revealed the honeymooning couple “left happy and clearly content with their stay”.

Foreign minister Jean-Paul Adam added: “We are truly honoured that Prince William and his wife chose to return to Seychelles for this special holiday and we are proud to have been able to offer them a peaceful and private getaway.”

The couple were presented with a Coco de Mer coconut to mark the end of their stay.

(North Island - voted “Indian Ocean’s Leading Green Resort 2010” by World Travel Awards played host to newly wed Prince William and Kate)

In the Seychelles the Coco de Mer is regarded as a powerful aphrodisiac and revered as a fertility symbol.

Their stunning handcrafted villa affords incredible views over the ocean and boasts an open-air bathroom area with a sunken bath and shower.

To get to the North Island the couple set off to the Seychelles by private jet from their home in Anglesey, North Wales, on May 10.

From Mahé, a helicopter took them the remaining 15-minute flight over to North Island, off the north-east coast of Madagascar.

William told staff on the island that had enjoyed the “best diving I’ve ever experienced while I’ve been here. It has been amazing.”