The Prince of Wales surprised guests at the inaugural Rebel Ball, held in memory of cancer campaigner Dame Deborah James, with a video message praising her legacy. The event, which took place on what would have been Dame Deborah's 45th birthday, raised money for her Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK.
A tribute to 'rebellious hope'
In his video message, William recalled meeting Dame Deborah in 2022 and presenting her with her damehood in her parents' garden. He spoke of her "positivity and humour in the face of adversity - what she liked to call 'rebellious hope'."
He said: "Tonight is about honouring the legacy of Dame Deborah James, an amazing woman who achieved and continued to achieve so much in pursuit of saving and improving lives."
The prince added: "Fuelled by that positive spirit, the Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK has achieved so much over the last four and a half years, as it continued to invest in pioneering research that's giving more people more time with the ones they love."
Guests and performances
Guests at the ball included Dame Deborah's children Hugo, 19, and Eloise, 16. The event was hosted by TV presenter Gaby Roslin, with musical performances from Sophie Ellis-Bextor and the cast of the West End show 'Disco Inferno'. Special guests included First Dates barman Merlin Griffiths, who was diagnosed with stage 3 bowel cancer in 2021 and appeared on the Bowelbabe Fund's 'Toilet Talk' series.
Dame Deborah was diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016 at the age of 35. In the final weeks of her life in May 2022, she set up the Bowelbabe Fund to raise money for research into the disease. In the days before she died, William cleared his diary to personally present her with a damehood at her parents' home in Surrey.
Fund's impact and family thanks
So far, the Bowelbabe Fund has raised more than £21 million and has supported 16 research and cancer awareness projects, including the development of the Bowelbabe Vaccine and the global research team PROSPECT, which is working to understand the rise of bowel cancer in people under 50.
Sebastien Bowen, Dame Deborah's husband, said: "Deborah channelled her rebellious hope into a force for good, doing everything she could to change lives for the better. She was driven by an unwavering determination to raise vital funds for cancer research because she understood first-hand the difference it can make in helping give more people more time with the ones they love."
He added: "We're also incredibly grateful to His Royal Highness The Prince of Wales for his kind words about Deborah and continued support of the Fund and its work."
Chief executive of Cancer Research UK, Michelle Mitchell, said: "Deborah never believed in standing still when there was more to do, and the funds raised through the Rebel Ball will help ensure her extraordinary legacy continues to drive progress and bring hope to people affected by cancer."
