Prince William Says He Wrote to Rob Burrow’s Children Because He Could Understand Losing a Parent at a Young Age

The Prince of Wales has recently expressed heartfelt sentiments regarding his relationship with the family of the late rugby player Rob Burrow, who passed away in 2024 from motor neurone disease (MND). His reflections came during a special BBC programme entitled “Thank You, Sir Kev,” which highlighted the tireless fundraising and awareness efforts of former rugby star Kevin Sinfield.

In his comments, Prince William shared his experience of dealing with grief, particularly highlighting the pain of losing a parent at a young age. He noted the importance of acknowledging feelings of loss rather than remaining silent about them, stating, “It’s always better to say something around grief than it is to ignore it.”

Burrow, who was only 41 at the time of his death, had been a prominent MND advocate following his own diagnosis in 2019. Just a few months prior to his passing, Prince William had visited both Burrow and Sinfield at Headingley Rugby Stadium, where he awarded them with the Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for their efforts in raising awareness about MND. The touching ceremony included Burrow’s wife, Lindsey, and their three children, underscoring the personal investment the royal family has in the cause.

On the day of Burrow’s death, Prince William took the time to reach out to his family, writing a letter to Burrow’s children—Macy, Maya, and Jackson—who were aged 10, 8, and 5 at the time. Having lost his own mother, Princess Diana, at the age of 15, he understands the complexities of grief from a personal standpoint. According to William, “Everyone grieves differently, and every circumstance is different, so you need to take your time over it.”

Since Burrow’s death, the Prince has remained actively involved in honouring the late rugby star’s legacy. Notably, he assisted Sinfield and the Burrow family in the opening of the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease at Seacroft Hospital in Leeds last November. Reflecting on this emotional moment, Prince William stated, “Doing personal, emotional work is more fulfilling… it was very personally rewarding for me.”

Meanwhile, personal narratives around grief have also been shared by Prince William’s younger brother, Prince Harry, who has been open about his own experiences following the loss of their mother. In a recent MasterClass titled “Redefining Grief: Building Resilience Through Loss,” Harry explored the impact of grief on mental health and well-being, revealing that he initially believed showing emotion was a sign of weakness.

Harry admitted to feeling guilty about the prospect of healing and moving on, fearing it would diminish his connection to his late mother. However, he ultimately found that understanding his emotions allowed him to embrace happiness without guilt. “The reality is, what I discovered was actually that she just wanted me to be happy,” he expressed, marking a significant shift in his perspective on grief.

As both brothers advocate for open conversations about loss, their respective journeys underscore a crucial dialogue about the need for empathy and understanding in the face of grief. Their experiences also highlight the importance of community support in navigating such profound emotional challenges.

The engagement of Prince William with the Burrow family and the commitments he has made to support MND awareness reflect a growing royal initiative towards mental health and well-being. His remarks about the need for open discussions surrounding grief resonate not only with the families affected by MND but also with anyone who has ever experienced loss.

Through his empathy and enduring support for MND advocacy, Prince William continues to honour Burrow’s legacy while also fostering a culture where conversations about grief and emotional health are normalised. This ongoing dialogue is vital in helping many confront their own experiences of loss, thereby fostering a more understanding society.