Prince William has paid a deeply personal tribute to Dame Deborah James in a surprise video message, remembering the late campaigner for the positivity, humour and “rebellious hope” she showed in the face of adversity.

The Prince of Wales appeared in a pre-recorded message at the inaugural Bowelbabe Fund Rebel Ball in London, held on what would have been Deborah’s 45th birthday. His tribute highlighted not only her extraordinary fundraising legacy but also the personal impression she left on those who knew her.

William Remembers Deborah’s “Rebellious Hope”

Speaking to Deborah’s friends and family gathered at the fundraising gala, William recalled what stood out to him most about the campaigner.

“What struck me was Deborah’s positivity and humour in the face of adversity – what she liked to call ‘rebellious hope’,” he said.

He described Deborah, who died in 2022 at the age of 40, as “an amazing woman” and praised the work carried out by her Bowelbabe Fund for Cancer Research UK.

Over the past four-and-a-half years, the fund has invested in pioneering cancer research aimed at “giving more people more time with the ones they love”.

William also reflected on what Deborah would have wanted for the evening.

“Tonight would have been Deborah’s 45th birthday and I know she would have wanted everyone dancing, celebrating and making memories,” he told guests.

The event was hosted by television presenter Gaby Roslin and featured performances from Sophie Ellis-Bextor and the West End cast of Disco Inferno.

A Celebration of Deborah’s Lasting Legacy

Deborah’s husband, Sebastien Bowen, said the Rebel Ball captured many of the qualities that made his wife so special.

“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,” he said.

The inaugural event raised more than £316,000 for the Bowelbabe Fund.

The fund was launched by Deborah in May 2022, shortly before her death, with an initial target of £250,000. It supports cutting-edge cancer research while also helping raise awareness of bowel cancer.

Deborah had been diagnosed with bowel cancer in 2016. Her fundraising efforts later earned her a damehood, an honour personally conferred by William just weeks before her death.

William’s Personal Connection With Deborah

William had met Deborah several times and became closely associated with her final campaign for cancer research.

During the final weeks of her life, while she was receiving hospice-at-home care, the Prince joined Deborah and her family for afternoon tea and champagne.

The meeting came shortly before she died in 2022, aged 40.

William’s latest tribute therefore carried particular significance, coming as her family, friends and supporters gathered to mark what would have been her 45th birthday and celebrate the work that continues in her name.

William Also Visits Flood-Hit Welsh Village

Earlier that day, William was in Wales, where he visited Skenfrith and met residents who have faced repeated flooding.

The Prince of Wales said a “holistic” approach was needed to tackle the growing threat of extreme flooding. Residents in the village have experienced four major floods in six years, with the most recent occurring last winter when the River Monnow swept through the area.

Storm Claudia brought a month’s worth of rain in just 24 hours to parts of England and Wales, contributing to the severe flooding.

William acknowledged the concerns of residents who may feel “anxious” about increasingly frequent extreme weather, noting that events once regarded as “one in 50-year” occurrences now appeared to be happening every year.

His visit focused on understanding how communities have been affected by recent floods and examining the measures being taken by local authorities and other organisations to reduce the impact of future incidents.

From flood-hit communities in Wales to a moving tribute in London, William’s engagements on Thursday brought attention to two very different causes — while his unexpected message for Deborah James offered a poignant reminder of the legacy she left behind.