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 The Celeb Report revealed a fund set up after her death had reached £11.3m.
Speaking exclusively to The Celeb Report, her husband Sebastien Bowen said: “Deborah would be utterly blown away, I can hear her saying, ‘Wow, this is such a big deal’.
“This money is going to have a huge impact, and will hopefully go on to save many lives. I know she would be incredibly proud of that.
“The kids and I are immensely proud.”
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 The Celeb Report 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 The Celeb Report: “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.”
