William and Kate pay tribute to ‘inspirational and unfalteringly brave’ Deborah James

Prince William and Kate Middleton have paid tribute to ‘unfalteringly brave’ Deborah James following the presenter’s death being announced last night. The future King of England visited the late star at her home last month, as she received a Damehood for her inspirational campaigning and fundraising

Paying tribute to the podcast host and cancer campaigner following her death at the age of 40, William and Kate said, “We are so sad to hear the heartbreaking news about Dame Deborah,” the couple’s tweet read. “Our thoughts are with her children, her family, and her loved ones.”

William and Kate added: “Deborah was an inspirational and unfalteringly brave woman whose legacy will live on.”

The duke visited Ms. James at her parents’ home in May to make her a dame in recognition of her fundraising.

In a statement posted on Instagram, Dame Deborah’s family said she had passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones.

She was “an inspiration” and “her determination to raise money and awareness was inspiring”, they said.\

The 40-year-old told BBC: “I am not brave – I am not dignified going towards my death – I am simply a scared girl who is doing something she has no choice in but I know I am grateful for the life that I have had.”

Within 24 hours of breaking the news, Dame Deborah’s fans, as well as people across the world who had been inspired by her moving and candid stories about dealing with bowel cancer, had raised more than £1.6m for research into the disease.