Kate Garraway says Kate Middleton wrote to her from hospital about Derek

05 February 2024 , 09:26

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Kate Garraway has revealed the Princess of Wales wrote to her from hospital after she publicly confirmed her husband Derek Draper had died

Kate Garraway has revealed the Princess of Wales wrote to her from hospital after she publicly confirmed her husband Derek Draper had died.

The 56-year-old Good Morning Britain presenter put on a brave face as she on Monday. Kate joined hosts Susanna Reid and Richard Madeley on Good Morning Britain just three days after she was supported by their two children, son Billy, 14, and 17-year-old daughter Darcey, as well as friends, family and colleagues from the worlds of politics and entertainment, as they said their final goodbyes to former political adviser Derek.

As for 42-year-old Kate, following a two-week stay at the London Clinic after undergoing an operation. The future Queen is not expected to return to official duties until after Easter, and Prince William has temporarily stepped back from his royal role to juggle caring for her and their children.

Kate Garraway reveals Derek Draper's agonising last days where he couldn't 'open his eyes or speak'

The 56-year-old Good Morning Britain presenter put on a brave face as she made her first TV appearance since Derek's sad death on Monday (ITV)

Meanwhile, Derek was buried at the Church of St Mary The Virgin in Primrose Hill, north London, the same place her parents married nearly two decades ago in 2005. The couple had been planning to renew their vows before the father-of-two fell ill in March 2020.

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The funeral came almost one month after Derek died holding Kate's hand following an agonising four-year battle to recover from Covid-19. Touching upon the letters of support she’s had from famous faces, Kate shared: “I had the most beautiful letter from David and Victoria Beckham – handwritten, very good handwriting… that was Darcey’s observation.” She then suggested Kate had written to her while recovering from surgery in hospital, adding: “And from the royal family – Catherine and William sent a beautiful letter, and I know Catherine has been in hospital herself.”

The mum-of-two then noted: “Even the King - because there is somebody [who] knows about grief - that anticipatory grief where you know something has a risk of happening and how different it is when it does happen.”

Elsewhere in her GMB interview on Monday, doting mum Kate said her “emotions are at 110%” following her husband’s funeral, also revealing she was told Derek had 24 hours to live a month before he eventually died. She also discussed her daughter Darcey’s role as a pallbearer at the service, saying: “She insisted on doing it and I thought it was a beautiful thing.”

Kate returned home to Windsor last week following a two-week stay at the London Clinic after undergoing an operation (Tim Rooke/REX/Shutterstock)

Of Darcey and son Billy, she added: “For their grieving, we are in the foothills, we know there is a long way to go. They didn’t want to pressure him to keep going. I don’t think he did feel that, I think he kept going because he wanted to be here.”

Kate broke the news of her husband’s death last month. Speaking on Instagram on the day of Derek's passing, she wrote: "I’m sad to have to tell you all that my darling husband Derek has passed away."

She continued: “As some of you may know he has been critically ill following a cardiac arrest in early December which, because of the damage inflicted by Covid in March 2020, led to further complications.

"Derek was surrounded by his family in his final days and I was by his side holding his hand throughout the last long hours and when he passed. I have so much more to say, and of course I will do so in due course, but for now I just want to thank all the medical teams who fought so hard to save him and to make his final moments as comfortable and dignified as possible. Sending so much love and thanks to all of you who have so generously given our family so much support. Rest gently and peacefully now Derek, my love, I was so lucky to have you in my life."

Aisha Nozari