Prince William has praised the "amazing" Dame Deborah James during his appearance at the inaugural Bowelbabe Fund Rebel Ball, held on what would have been the late campaigner's 45th birthday.
Dame Deborah passed away at the age of 40 in June 2022. She was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in December 2016, at the age of 35, before it later progressed to stage 4.
William's tribute to 'rebellious hope'
The royal, who met the late campaigner on several occasions, including just weeks before her death, spoke fondly of her in a pre-recorded video message at the gala on Thursday evening. William said: "What struck me was Deborah’s positivity and humour in the face of adversity – what she liked to call ‘rebellious hope'."
Describing Dame Deborah as "an amazing woman," William also said that her Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK had achieved so much in the last four-and-a-half years, investing in pioneering research that was "giving more people more time with the ones they love".
Birthday celebration and event details
Speaking to those in attendance at the gala, including her family and friends, William said: "Tonight would have been Deborah’s 45th birthday and I know she would have wanted everyone dancing, celebrating and making memories."
William's video message came just hours after Prince Harry appeared in a video call at a NATO event.
The fundraising ball was hosted by TV presenter Gaby Roslin in London and featured performances by Sophie Ellis Bextor and the West End cast of the production Disco Inferno.
Fund's legacy
Dame Deborah's husband Sebastien Bowen said: "On what would’ve been Deborah’s 45th birthday, we wanted to honour her memory and the Rebel Ball captured so much of what made her special: her energy, her courage and her ability to bring people together behind a cause she believed in."
The Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK supports cutting-edge research and raises awareness of bowel cancer. The fund was launched by Dame Deborah a month before her death with an initial target of £250,000. The host of the You, Me And The Big C podcast was given a damehood for her fundraising efforts, which soared into the millions.
