Dame Deborah James' brother has said 'I do' after getting the push from Prince William.
The mum-of-two died in June 2022 aged 40 after inspiring thousands during her battle with bowel cancer. She set up the Bowelbabe research fund, hosted the You, Me And The Big C podcast and was made a Dame by Prince William. Just weeks before her tragic death, Deborah's brother Ben popped the question to his long-term girlfriend Ashley.
At the time, Deborah shared the happy news to her followers but heartbreakingly admitted she knew she wouldn't make it to the wedding. Ben and Ashley have now tied the knot, as their mum said she was "celebrating the pride" her brave daughter would have felt.
Prince William gave Ben a nudge to propose to Ashley after their 11-year romance, when he presented Deborah with her Damehood in May 2022. William reportedly asked why he hadn't popped the question. Deborah and Ben's mum Heather has shared an insight into the big day in Barbados.
She said it had been "wonderful" and shared how lovely it was to have loved ones together to celebrate. Heather added: "Two very special people sadly are no longer with us. We all celebrated the joy and pride that Sue (Ashley’s mum) and Deborah would have felt." Deborah had shared the couple's engagement news by posting photos of herself with the couple.
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Deborah proudly announced the news of Ben and Ashley's engagement (INSTAGRAM)
Her mum Heather ‘celebrated the pride Deborah would’ve felt’ at the wedding (Instagram)The campaigner wrote: "He finally put a ring on it. Congratulations to [Benjamin and Ashley] for finally getting engaged after 11 years." She said that fans who have listened to her podcasts over the years will recall that "brother banter features highly". Deborah - who welcomed two children, Hugo and Eloise, with her husband Sebastian Bowen - said "everyone" in the family knew that Ben and Ashley wanted to get engaged.
"It's just always been apparently about 'the right time.' So they finally did it and then FaceTimed me from Cornwall. [...] My mouth was still open for the rest of the day," she said. Deborah said she "couldn't be prouder to be able to say" that Ashley will be her sister-in-law, adding: "I adore her." She devastatingly shared: "Of course I'm sad I won't see the wedding but it gave me an excuse to throw my last impromptu party."
Deborah hosted a party with the help of her sister and niece to celebrate the happy news. Following her death, close pal and singer Natalie Rushdie released track Tell Me It’s Not True to raise cash for the Bowelbabe fund. Natalie said Deborah would have been "blown away" by Prince William's support as he backed the single. She told The Mirror: “We were so excited when we received the message that Prince William had given us the Royal approval for the song. Deb would have been absolutely blown away with Prince William’s continued support to her campaign.”
Prince William is said to have given Ben a push to propose (Instagram)The Prince of Wales said of the single: “Dame Debs would be so proud. She inspired the nation. Her legacy will be countless lives saved from bowel cancer. I’m wishing Natalie all the very best for her single release to raise money for such an important cause.” Deborah's parents recently sent their love to Kate Middleton as they praised the mum-of-three for sharing her cancer diagnosis.
"We know if Deborah were here to send Kate a message, she would tell the Princess of Wales to hold on to rebellious hope," Heather and Alistair told The Sun following Kate's cancer admission. They said that Deborah was a firm believer in the power of hope, and given how many times she beat the odds to survive, rebellious hope became her mantra. "We have no doubt her positive mindset helped her keep going, and gave us five years of precious memories together," Deborah's parents added.
For more information or support about bowel cancer, you can contact Macmillan Cancer Support or you can call 020 7940 1760 for advice.
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