The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge pay tribute to Dame Deborah James: ‘Unfalteringly brave’

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have paid tribute to Dame Deborah James following the “heartbreaking news” of her death.

Prince William and Kate Middleton wrote on their official Twitter account: “Deborah was an inspirational and unfalteringly brave woman whose legacy will live on.”

James, 40, who was first diagnosed with Stage 4 bowel cancer in 2016, died on Tuesday while surrounded by her family. Her death was announced in a joint statement by her family, who said she “passed away peacefully”.

The Duke paid the prolific cancer campaigner a visit to her home in May to present her with her damehood and took photographs with her family to mark the occasion.

At the time, James thanked the royal for “going above and beyond to make a very special memory happen”.

William later said that visiting James was “an amazing moment” and that he “loved meeting her, she was fantastic”.

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