Zoe Ball reveals how Prince William helped get her process the death of her mother

Zoe Ball has revealed the touching gestures Prince William made that "meant the world" to her both during her mother's illness and after her death.

The presenter had to step back from her BBC Radio 2 breakfast show when her mother, Julia, died in April 2024, after a battle with pancreatic cancer. But on her podcast, Zoe revealed that Prince William wrote her two "beautiful" letters despite dealing with both his father's cancer diagnosis and his wife's.

"Prince William wrote to me when my mum was poorly," Zoe said. "He wrote the most beautiful letter and he wrote to me again after we lost mum. There was a really amazing moment when mum was really, really poorly, and I went up to see her. My brother was there. I said, 'Mum, we've had a letter.'

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"I read her Prince William's letter. And at the time he was going through his own difficulties with both his father and his lovely wife going through their cancer journey. And I thought it was so kind of him to take the time to write. And it meant the world to her. She loved that letter."

Zoe added that she was reminded of the letters after watching Prince William's interview with Eugene Levy on Apple TV. The prince appeared on Eugene's show The Reluctant Traveller and spoke candidly about his hopes for himself and his family, as well as his plans for when he is the king.

Back in March 2024, Zoe revealed that her mother had pancreatic cancer. During this time, the presenter was occasionally absent from BBC Radio 2 while Gabby Roslin filled in.

This was so Zoe could spend time with her mother, who was being transferred to hospice car, and Zoe told listeners how life was "pretty tough at the moment for the family".

Shortly afterwards, Zoe shared the news of her mother's death on Instagram. In the caption of a post, she wrote: "Sleep tight dear Mama.

"Thank you for teaching us how to love unconditionally, to always show courage and empathy. And how, even in the darkest of days, laughter is the greatest of gifts.

"We are bereft without you but will hold so tight to each other. Your grace & your smile that lit up every room you were in, will light the stars to guide us."

Zoe's son Woody, who she shares with Normon Cook (aka Fatboy Slim), also shared a tribute to his grandmother: "Today I say goodbye to Granny J, thank you for being a wonderful woman.

"The only person who always sent me a valentines card. I know you're with Rick [Peckham, her late husband] now, give him a hug from me. I know he said once when you were panicking in a helicopter over the Jungle 'If you get lost, follow the river!' You'll find him at the end."

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