Prince William was 'overawed' by Deborah James says Myers

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The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge penned a rare personal statement to pay tribute to Dame Deborah, whose passing was announced on Tuesday evening. Kate and Prince William shared their message on Twitter, in an address to their 2.4million followers. 

They wrote: “We are so sad to hear the heartbreaking news about Dame Deborah.

“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.” 

To stress the message had been written by them, the Duke and Duchess signed off the tweet with their initials, W and C. 

This statement was shared hours after Dame Deborah’s family took to her social media accounts to announce her death aged 40. 

Sharing a picture and a video of the former deputy head teacher, Dame Deborah’s loved ones wrote: “We are deeply saddened to announce the death of Dame Deborah James; the most amazing wife, daughter, sister, mummy.

“Deborah passed away peacefully today, surrounded by her family.”

The lengthy message paid tribute to the 40-year-old turned cancer campaigner, broadcaster and journalist after being diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016.

It read: “Deborah, who many of you will know as Bowelbabe, was an inspiration and we are incredibly proud of her and her work and commitment to charitable campaigning, fundraising and her endless efforts to raise awareness of cancer that touched so many lives.

“Deborah shared her experience with the world to raise awareness, break down barriers, challenge taboos and change the conversation around cancer.

“Even in her most challenging moments, her determination to raise money and awareness was inspiring.” 

After pledging to continue Dame Deborah’s legacy, her family shared one last message from the campaigner.  

It read: “Find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope. And finally, check your poo – it could just save your life.” 

Dame Deborah campaigned relentlessly to raise awareness on bowel cancer and shared her daily life with the disease also on her Twitter and Instagram accounts, bowelbabe.

After announcing on May 9 her active care had stopped and had started receiving end-of-care at home, the host of the BBC’s You, Me and the Big C podcast launched a fundraising campaign, the Bowel Babe Fund.

The initiative, set to support Cancer UK, Royal Marsden Hospital and Bowel Cancer UK, quickly smashed its initial goal and has raised almost 7million.

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