Kate Middleton and Prince William send heartfelt tribute to Deborah James after devastating announcement

Kate Middleton and Prince William sent a heartfelt tribute to Deborah James after she revealed her devastating prognosis. The royal couple also pledged to support the fund that the cancer campaigner and her family set up to help those affected by the illness.

• Kate Middleton and Prince William's heartfelt tribute to Deborah James shows their appreciation of the broadcaster's work to support those affected by cancer.
• The couple's openness shows a far less formal side to the Royal Family, which was also reflected by Prince William’s hug with elderly man in Scotland.
• In other royal news, Prince Charles being mobbed in London marks a significant change for the senior royal.

Only days after cancer campaigner Deborah James revealed her devastating diagnosis, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have paid tribute to her desire to give back, despite her ill health.

Kate Middleton and Prince William send a heartfelt tribute via their shared Kensington Palace Twitter account, minus any formality and laden with true words of kindness.

The tweet reads, "Every now and then, someone captures the heart of the nation with their zest for life & tenacious desire to give back to society. @bowelbabe is one of those special people. Her tireless efforts to raise awareness of bowel cancer & end the stigma of treatment are inspiring."

Deborah, 40, has been battling bowel cancer since December 2016, and the broadcaster has used her public profile to raise awareness about the illness. Heartbreakingly, she shared a post saying that she's moved to hospice at-home care after every treatment option has been exhausted. 

As the broadcaster's fans reacted to her post, the royal couple waded in and added their own sympathies saying, "We are so sad to hear her recent update." The couple added that, per her wishes, they're going to, "support the @bowelbabef, which will benefit the @royalmarsdenNHS among others."

The Bowel Babe Fund, set up in collaboration with Cancer Research UK, will fund vital work to help research and treatment for those suffering from the disease.

Duchess Kate and Prince William's tweet finished with, "Deborah, our thoughts are with you, your family, and your friends. Thank you for giving hope to so many who are living with cancer. W & C."