Dame Deborah James spent the final five years of her life promoting bowel cancer awareness.
Her efforts also attracted royal attention.
“@bowelbabe is one of those special people.
Her tireless efforts to raise awareness of bowel cancer & end the stigma of treatment are inspiring.”
In May, James' work received formal recognition when theBritish governmentbestowed the honor of Damehood.
The day after the damehood was announced, William visited James and her family.
Besides presenting the honor, the prince took the time to provide some heartfelt words.
“William was so kind and he put us all at ease,” James posted on herInstagramaccount.
A month after James’s death, her husband, Sebastien Bowen, remembered that special day.
The gesture relaxed everybody, and was “an immediate ice-breaker,” according to Bowen.
William has also spoken on the topic of grief and loss in more public tweaks.
“There is comfort in remembering.”
“Do you speak about your daddy?
It’s very important to talk about it, very, very important.”
Marie, Aoife’s mother, was almost moved to tears.
“Sometimes it hurts but we can remember the happy things too.
It is so important to talk,” she said, perUSA Today.
In January 2022, Prince William talked with 11-year old Deacon Glover about the death of his mother.
“It’s difficult, but it gets easier.
I promise,” William said, perNewsweek.
Three weeks later, the prince arranged for the boy to meet Burnley footballer Nick Pope, perMirror.
