Deborah James posts photo with Prince William as royal presents cancer campaigner with Damehood

THE Sun's Deborah James has shared a photo of her meeting with Prince William as the royal presented her with her Damehood.

The mum-of-two, 40, was given the honour at her parents home today for her tireless campaigning and £5m cancer fundraiser.

Deborah revealed she enjoyed an afternoon of "tea and champagne" with the Duke of Cambridge and her family in South London.

She described the experience as "surreal" and told her 630,000 followers that "kind" William "made everyone feel at ease".

Deborah wrote: "He is clearly passionate about improving oncology outcomes as the President of the Royal Marsden.

"It was such a special day for my whole family, making memories to last a life time. He’s welcome back any time!"

Readers from across the country have contributed millions of pounds towards her BowelBabe fund, which she launched on Monday to boost research into the disease.

Reacting to the milestone, Deborah wrote: "We’re completely lost for words. This is all just beyond anything we could have ever imagined."

She wrote on Instagram: "The last 5 days have been surreal. Thank you for putting a huge smile on my face, and helping us to launch a legacy to hopefully impact a lifetime cutting edge cancer care.

"Thanks to an incredibly generous donation earlier today, and to every single person who’s donated to the @bowelbabefund, we’ve just reached the unbelievable total of £5m."

Deborah also said she is overwhelmed at receiving a Damehood for capturing the nation's heart with her honest accounts of cancer.

Earlier today she shared our front page, which broke the news, and wrote: “I’m humbled and blown away that five years of talking about poo can lead to a Damehood!

“I feel honoured and shocked that I even got considered.”

Her Majesty The Queen was separately said to be "pleased" to make Deborah a Dame.

Boxer Anthony Joshua, 32, and David Beckham, 47, were also among those to pay tribute to her after the award.

Deborah heartbreakingly announced on Monday she was moved into hospice at home care.

The mum-of-two was diagnosed with stage four bowel cancer just days before Christmas in 2016.