Kate Middleton andPrince Williamhave released a rare personal statement following thedeathof BBC host Dame Deborah James at age 40 following her battle with bowel cancer.
“We are so sad to hear the heartbreaking news about Dame Deborah,” William and Kateposted on Twitteron Wednesday.
Signing off with their initials to indicate the message was personal, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge added, “Our thoughts are with her children, her family and her loved ones. Deborah was an inspirational and unfalteringly brave woman whose legacy will live on. W & C.”
A heartfelt tribute shared to James' official Instagram page announced her death on Tuesday. She died following a years-long battle with bowel cancer, after being first diagnosed in 2016.
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Last month,Prince Williamvisited James at her family home topresent her with a Damehood honor.
David M. Benett/Dave Benett/Getty; Tim Rooke/Getty
“Prince William actually came to our family house today!!” Jameswrotealongside the series of images on Instagram and shared how they spent the day. “I am utterly honoured that he joined us for afternoon tea and champagne, where he not only spent a generous amount of time talking to my whole family but also honoured me with my Damehood.”
In May,Prince Williamalsovisited the Royal Marsden Hospitalin London to meet with nurses and staff who helped care for James. William, 40, became president of the hospital in 2007, following in the footsteps of his late motherPrincess Diana, who alsosupported the facility and frequently made visits.
“I loved meeting her, she was fantastic — her legacy is massive,” William told Lorraine Kimber, 59, a patient who is currently undergoing treatment for pancreatic cancer.
Dr. Nicos Fotiadis, who treated James, thanked William for going to see her as it sent a “powerful” message.
“It is important to acknowledge and recognize people like Deborah who do such an awful lot to help other people in very difficult circumstances. She’s done a brilliant job,” William replied.
William joked, “As she put it, she made bowel cancer sexy, those are her words, not mine!”
Prince William at the Royal Marsden Hospital.Frank Augstein - WPA Pool/Getty Images
William, who said James was “on amazing form” when he saw James alongside her family, including her husband and two children, shared, “She was joking…because they are a very tight family, very close, you could see that….she was joking that at last, she could now drink.”
“I love Deborah, she’s fantastic. Her legacy is massive. I was very honored to be able to speak to her,” he continued. “It felt like a very personal family moment that I was there for. It was a glorious day as well. Thank you to you all for what you have done for her. She spoke very highly about her care. It was a touching moment.”
Speaking to the hospital staff, William added: “Thank you so much for looking after her so well. She is a brave and inspirational woman.”
Deborah James.Dave Benett/Getty
In the final episode of her BBC podcastYou, Me & The Big C: Putting the Can in Cancer, James shared that she wanted tospend her final daysat her parents' home.
“I decided that I want to be at my parents' because as much as I love London, I can’t even get up the steps to pee. It’s kind of not practical. My parents live in a bungalow so I can see greenery and my whole family can come here,” she explained to producer and friend Mike Holt.
“It’s kind of where I’ve always wanted to die,” James added in part. “I kind of always had that in my mind.”
source: people.com
