Prince William leaves royal fans emotional after he keeps heartfelt promise | Royal | News
Prince William left royal fans emotional and proud after making good on his heartfelt promise to rugby league legend Rob Burrow this week. The Prince of Wales, 43, stepped out to officially open the Rob Burrow Motor Neurone Disease Center in Leeds yesterday.
The Future King had previously promised Rob, who suffers from motor neurone disease (MND), a life-shortening disease that causes muscle weakness that worsens over time, that he would open the center when it was ready. Unfortunately, Rob died of the disease in 2024, and the prince has stayed in touch with his family since then.
William is believed to have felt strongly about raising awareness about the disease and has supported the family since Rob’s death; It comes nearly months after the prince presented rugby league legend and former teammate Kevin Sinfield with their CBEs at Headingly Stadium for raising millions for MND research and support.
Prince William, who officially opened the center yesterday, was reunited with Rob’s wife Lindsey and their three children Macy, Maya and Jackson.
The royal toured the centre, which opened with a major fundraising campaign earlier this month, and met with researchers and patients.
The center is the first purpose-built center in the UK dedicated entirely to MND care, research, education and holistic support and was opened in memory of Rob, who was diagnosed with MND in December 2019.
Speaking at the center yesterday, William told Robs’ children: “You should be so proud of your dad. He really was an incredibly brave, very special man. This is a world-leading center and it will save so many lives. You should be so proud and everyone is so grateful that you’ve included us in your family life and realized what we’re all about together.”
Not only was it very special for Rob’s family to see the prince keep his word and open the centre, but the visit also left royal fans emotional, with many praising the prince to X.
One person wrote: “You kept your promise to Rob Burrows when he couldn’t be there. That means a lot.”
“Thank you for being there,” another said.
Another wrote: “It was really thoughtful of you to be there for the official opening of the Centre, which I’m sure will help many people in the future! And you kept your promise to the late Rob.”
Another royal fan commented: “Thank you for restoring my faith in kind people.”
