Kate Garraway in tears after Prince William's support for husband fighting Covid-19
EXCLUSIVE Speaking ahead of the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, brave Kate said the Prince's kind words were all the more poignant after losing his mum at a young age
Humbled telly host Kate Garraway has spoken about her pain for Prince William – after he offered his support for her Covid-hit husband.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge spoke movingly to Kate, 53, when they gave NHS heroes a Pride of Britain gong.
The GMB presenter’s husband Derek Draper, 53, is still in intensive care, seven months after being struck down by coronavirus.
Kate – who is mum to Darcey, 14, and Billy, 11 – spoke ahead of the Daily Mirror Pride of Britain Awards, in association with TSB, which will be aired on ITV tonight.
Of William, Kate admitted: “I thought about him losing his mum… at least we still have my Derek. As I was talking about Darcey and Billy not being able to see their dad, I was thinking, ‘Well, William doesn’t have his mum’.
“It makes me tearful. William knows more than anyone what it is like to not have a parent.”
William was just 15 when his mother, Princess Diana, was killed in a car crash.
He and wife Kate were at St Bart’s Hospital, London, to present the Pride of Britain Award for all NHS staff.
Of Derek, the Duchess told her TV namesake: “‘I felt for you. We thought about how the children must be feeling; how you must be feeling.”
TV Kate was moved, telling the Sunday Mirror: “They knew everything happening with Derek. They were very genuinely concerned.
“There is something lovely thinking that not just the royals but people all around care. Whether it be them or the man in the shop who said, ‘I’m praying for you’, it does give you strength.”
Kate’s children have not seen their father since he fell ill.
The TV host added: “They are coping so brilliantly. They are my heroes.”
Derek is still in a coma but is now off a ventilator.
This week, he uttered his first word since March – saying “pain” as doctors manipulated his body to prevent him seizing up.
Kate said it was “a huge honour” to be part of Pride of Britain, adding: “Never have we needed to celebrate our heroes from all walks of life than right now.”
- Daily Mirror’s Pride of Britain Awards, in association with TSB, is on ITV at 9pm Sunday night.
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