PRINCE William has paid tribute to Dame Deborah James after it was revealed that she raised £11.3million in the final weeks of her life.
In a video recorded for ITV show Lorraine, William said: “I got to meet Dame Deborah, so I know how important this was to her.
Prince William with Dame Deborah James before her death from bowel cancer
William paid tribute to Dame Deborah in a clip for ITV show Lorraine
“46,000 people in the UK get diagnosed each year with bowel cancer and yet many of us don’t know the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer – particularly in us men.
“Please take a second to listen and learn about the signs and symptoms of bowel cancer. It could save your life.”
Last week a spokesman told HOAR when we revealed a fund set up after her death had reached £11.3m
A spokesperson for Prince William said: “This is a truly fantastic milestone.
“Thanks to the generosity of so many, the impact and legacy of Dame Deborah’s life will be felt for many years to come.”
He conferred her Damehood last May.
In an “unprecedented” move, the Duke cleared his diary to do the honours at a tea party at her parents’ home in Woking, Surrey.
Mum Deborah, 40, on end-of-life care, told HOAR that Prince William is welcome to join her for tea and Champagne anytime after being awarded her honour in a moving ceremony.
He was “extremely generous” with his time, and was understood to have cleared his diary when he received Deborah’s invitation.
The father of three spent time speaking to Deborah’s two children, Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12, offering words of advice and guidance.
Wills, whose mother Princess Diana died when he was 15, told them he had been through something similar.
Deborah’s family put on a traditional afternoon tea with scones and bubbly — and said the “down-to-earth” Duke enjoyed a smoked salmon sarnie.
Reflecting on the “surreal” day, Dame Debs told HOAR: “The Duke was so charming and put all of us at ease immediately.
“He was incredibly engaging and generous with his time, I could have spoken to him all afternoon.”
