Dame Deborah James, a journalist and campaigner who stole the U.K. and the world's hearts with her work as the Bowel Babe, sadly passed away on June 28 at the age of 40.
James had been diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer in 2016, and went on to raise awareness for the disease through her podcast and media appearances, raise funds for charity, pen the aptly named memoir slash self-help book F*** You Cancer, and generally make bowel cancer "sexy," in her own words.
Along with millions of people in the U.K. and beyond, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were devastated to hear the news of James' passing. They honored her with their words on Twitter.
"We are so sad to hear the heartbreaking news about Dame Deborah. Our thoughts are with her children, her family and her loved ones," they wrote.
"Deborah was an inspirational and unfalteringly brave woman whose legacy will live on. W & C"
We are so sad to hear the heartbreaking news about Dame Deborah. Our thoughts are with her children, her family and her loved ones. Deborah was an inspirational and unfalteringly brave woman whose legacy will live on. W & CJune 29, 2022
In the months before her death, Prince William had conferred James with her damehood in recognition of her amazing work.
The prince visited James at home to present the award to her, and has previously commented on what a beautiful occasion it was.
Stay In The Know
Marie Claire email subscribers get intel on fashion and beauty trends, hot-off-the-press celebrity news, and more. Sign up here.
"I was very honored to be able to speak to her, it felt like a very personal family moment... it was a glorious day as well," he said (via the Independent).
Commenting on the family's champagne celebration, the duke painted a beautiful picture of James' lightheartedness and humor.
"She was saying basically, 'I can now drink, I can now drink, this is brilliant.'
"She was triple parked and she kept making a joke about how many drinks she could get lined up in front of her."
While announcing James' death on Instagram, the person posting shared James' life advice, and you're going to want to heed it. "Find a life worth enjoying; take risks; love deeply; have no regrets; and always, always have rebellious hope," she said. "And finally, check your poo—it could just save your life."
A post shared by Deborah James (@bowelbabe)
A photo posted by on
Iris Goldsztajn is a London-based journalist, editor and author. She is the morning editor at Marie Claire, and her work has appeared in the likes of InStyle, Cosmopolitan, Bustle and Shape. Iris writes about everything from celebrity news and relationship advice to the pitfalls of diet culture and the joys of exercise. She has many opinions on Harry Styles, and can typically be found eating her body weight in cheap chocolate.
-
Heidi Gardner Opens Up About Viral Moment She Broke Character During ‘Saturday Night Live’ Beavis and Butt-Head Sketch
“I just couldn’t prepare for what I saw.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Fashion, Family, Fitness: The 3 Guiding Principles of 'MC' Editor-in-Chief Nikki Ogunnaike and How They Intersect in Her Life
By Nikki Ogunnaike Published
-
Caitlin Clark's WNBA Draft Glow Is Courtesy of Glossier
She even wore a just-launched product from the brand.
By Julia Marzovilla Published
-
Meghan Markle Thinks Prince Harry Is "Making a Big Mistake" in Wanting to Reach Out to William, Kate: Source
She's worried he'll get hurt again.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William and Prince George Enjoy Boys' Night Out at Soccer Game
They cheered on their team.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William Steps Out at a Pub in Norfolk with Someone We, Quite Frankly, Weren’t Expecting
The Prince of Wales and his family remain in Norfolk at their country home, Anmer Hall, while the kids are on Easter break from school.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Princess Diana Would Be "Absolutely Distraught" Over the State of Prince William and Prince Harry's Relationship, Expert Claims
She wanted them to have each other's backs.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
When Their Relationship Got Serious In the 2000s, Prince William Set Kate Middleton Up With an Crisis Hotline to Call In Case of Emergency
“William decided that something had to be done to protect Kate.”
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Future King Prince William Has Lost One of His "Top Advisers" in Prince Harry, Says Expert
Harry could have been a major asset for him.
By Iris Goldsztajn Published
-
Prince William and Princess Kate Feel “Intense Anxiety” at the Prospect of Taking the Throne, Tina Brown Says
King Charles’ cancer diagnosis earlier this year put William and Kate “in frightening proximity” to becoming King and Queen, according to Brown.
By Rachel Burchfield Published
-
Prince Harry Was Reportedly the Primary Beneficiary of This Late Royal’s Massive Fortune, and Received More Than Prince William for a Very Logical Reason
The amount of money at stake is steep.
By Rachel Burchfield Published