THE Princess of Wales has given her support to a charity single released in honour of Sun columnist Dame Deborah James.
The charity cover of Tell Me It’s Not True from Blood Brothers, by Dame Debs’ close friend Natalie Rushdie, has been top of the iTunes charts since its release on Monday.
Natalie Rushdie shares a moment with the Princess of Wales in the Royal Box at Wimbledon
Kate shared her support for Natalie’s new single, Tell Me It’s Not True, recorded in honour of Natalie’s close friend Dame Deborah James
Just a week before she died, Sun columnist Dame Debs asked Natalie to sing her favourite song at her funeral, when the pals saw each other for the last time at Ascot.
Months later, Deborah’s parents Heather and Alistair asked Natalie if she would record the single.
The track already has the backing of the Prince of Wales, who told HOAR last week: “Dame Debs would be so proud.
“She inspired the nation. Her legacy will be countless lives saved from bowel cancer.
“I’m wishing Natalie all the very best for her single release to raise money for such an important cause.”
It’s the latest message of support from the Prince of Wales, and comes after her praised her for raising a staggering £11.3million in the weeks before and months after her death.
So touched was the Prince by Dame Debs’ story, he was the driving force behind her Damehood, and visited her family at home in Woking to bestow the honour – after HOAR mounted a campaign to recognise the 40-year-old’s incredible campaigning.
And yesterday Kate echoed Wills’ enthusiasm, sharing how “important” it was for her husband to continue to support Dame Debs’ incredible legacy.
Natalie, who was invited to the Royal Box at Wimbledon with her husband Zafar yesterday, says after introducing herself to the Princess, Kate was quick to wish her luck.
“I introduced myself and said ‘I’d just like to thank you, and Prince William for supporting the single and getting behind it’,” Natalie says.
“The Princess of Wales said she thought what we are doing is amazing, and added that Deborah was a wonderful woman.
“She said it was really important for William to get behind the single and continue to support Deborah’s campaign.”
The pair discussed the recording of the track at the infamous Abbey Road studios in North London, and Natalie tells HOAR, Kate was thrilled to hear how so many people had got behind it – dedicating their time to help raise money for Dame Debs’ Bowelbabe Fund.
Natalie adds: “She wished me luck, which was so lovely.
“I don’t normally get nervous but I was so nervous speaking to her.
“She looked so beautiful and was incredibly warm and kind with her time.”
To know that the Princess of Wales and Prince William have given their Royal seal of approval for Natalie’s single would be “beyond Debs’ wildest dreams”.
“She would be over the moon, simply stunned and so honoured to know that Kate and Wills were still supporting her campaign to raise money to fund research into new treatments for cancer.
“She was an incredibly special friend and person, and she continues to inspire so many.
“Please, please give the single a listen and help us get Dame Deborah to number one in the charts.”
“She was determined to make a difference and ensure other people didn’t have to succumb to her fate – and she’s continuing to make that difference, a year after her death.
All proceeds from the single will go directly to the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK.
The single is available on all major streaming platforms.
Natalie tells HOAR Kate was quick to wish her luck with the single and added it was very “important” for William to support Dame Deborah’s legacy
Just a week before she died Dame Debs asked Natalie to sing Tell Me It’s Not True at her funeral when the pair saw each other for the last time at Ascot, pictured
Jazz singer Natalie recorded the single at the iconic Abbey Road studios in North London with Dame Debs parents, Heather and Alistair on hand to watch
