Rupert Friend Happy To Be Less Successful Than Girlfriend Keira Knightley

Rupert Friend is happy to be less successful than girlfriend Keira Knightley. "The Young Victoria" actor has no desire to compete with Oscar-nominated Keira and admires men who are comfortable being overshadowed by their partners.

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Rupert - who stars as Queen Victoria's husband, Prince Albert in the film - said: "I think it takes a strong man to say, 'My woman will always achieve more than I ever will, she will always have more power than I'll ever have and she will probably be more popular than I'll ever be and I don't care.'"

"That, to me, is about as close to the definition of a man as I've ever gotten."

Keira, 23, is considered one of the most bankable leading ladies in Hollywood, while Rupert has only just begun to make his mark on the big screen with roles in 'The Young Victoria' and 'Cheri'.

Rupert - who met Keira on the set of "Pride and Prejudice," in which he had a minor role - didn't find it hard to get into character to play Prince Albert.

He said: "There was a pair of tight trousers and a wig and I sort of stepped into those and did my best to become Albert. That was it really."

"I think guys have it a lot easier than women in these films, but I did wear a corset for one scene, although with tight trousers I don't think you should necessarily discount the discomfort of a pair of braces pulling them up underneath."