The parents of Dame Deborah James have praised Kate Middleton‘s ‘bravery’ in opening up about her cancer battle.

Heather, 66, and Alistair James, 68, whose daughter journalist Deborah died from bowel cancer in 2022, sent their love to the Princess of Wales.

The pair believe Kate’s ‘courage’ in speaking publicly about her diagnosis will convince more people to go to the doctor for check-ups and said Deborah would be ‘proud’ of the princess.

Speaking to The Sun, the couple said: ‘In being so open and honest, Kate will undoubtedly encourage many more people who are living with potential symptoms of cancer, to seek medical help. In doing so, she will save lives.’

Dame Deborah, who was known as Bowelbabe, survived for five and a half years with the disease before her death, spending that time tirelessly campaigning and fundraising.

The parents of Dame Deborah James have praised Kate Middleton’s ‘bravery’ in opening up about her cancer battle (Pictured are Deborah and her mother in 2021)

Kate, 42, revealed in a video issued on Friday evening that she was diagnosed with cancer last month, having spent a fortnight in the private London Clinic following ‘major’ abdominal surgery in January

She received a damehood from Prince William for services to charity and cancer awareness one month before her death in May 2022.

‘We know if Deborah were here to send Kate a message, she would tell the Princess of Wales to hold on to rebellious hope,’ her parents said of Kate’s statement. 

‘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.’

Heather and Alistair said they believe Deboarh’s positive attitude helped her survive as long as she did, and gave them more time with her. 

Kate, 42, revealed in a video issued on Friday evening that she was diagnosed with cancer last month, having spent a fortnight in the private London Clinic following ‘major’ abdominal surgery in January.

She is now on what has been described as a ‘recovery pathway’ after starting a course of preventative chemotherapy in late February. 

Deborah was 35 when she received her devastating diagnosis of incurable bowel cancer and, like Kate does, she had young children. 

In the wake of her diagnosis, Deborah campaigned every day, including presenting a podcast called You Me and the Big C from 2018.

Heather, 66, and Alistair James, 68, whose daughter journalist Deborah died in from bowel cancer in 2022, sent their love to the Princess of Wales (Heather and Alistair pictured in 2022)

Dame Deborah, who was known as Bowelbabe, survived for five and a half years with the disease before her death, spending that time tirelessly campaigning and fundraising

Deborah received a damehood from Prince William for services to charity and cancer awareness one month before her death in May 2022 (Pictured)

Her fundraising as part of her Bowelbabe fund raised a huge £7million and Prince William had praised her for her efforts. 

Of William’s visit to her home in Surrey, Heather said having the prince round to present her daughter with her damehood was akin to having a ‘friend round for tea’.

Heather reminisced about Prince William speaking to Deborah’s children Hugo and Eloise, empathising as someone who lost his own mother at a young age. 

The mother said his kindness has never been forgotten, and her and Alistair hope he and Kate have time and space to heal together. 

Kate released a video message recorded last Wednesday at Windsor, saying: ‘In January, I underwent major abdominal surgery in London and at the time, it was thought that my condition was non-cancerous.

A photo of Kate and her three children was shared online on Mother’s Day two weeks ago

William and Kate are pictured here arriving at St David’s Cathedral in Haverfordwest in Wales last September 8 for a service commemorating the life of the late Queen Elizabeth II

‘The surgery was successful. However, tests after the operation found cancer had been present.

‘My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.

‘This of course came as a huge shock, and William and I have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family. As you can imagine, this has taken time.’

Kate has been rarely seen in public since attending church at Sandringham in Norfolk on Christmas Day last year – though a member of the public filmed her and William after visiting a farm shop earlier this month.