Deborah James beams as she celebrates her brother proposing to girlfriend of 11 years… after a nudge from Prince William
DEBORAH James couldn't have looked happier as she celebrated her brother's engagement to his girlfriend of 11 years.
The cancer campaigner, who is receiving end-of-life care, beamed at her "last impromptu party" following the proposal - prompted by Prince William.
The Duke of Cambridge is said to have given Ben a nudge when he presented his sister with a Damehood last month.
Wills reportedly asked him why he hadn't yet popped the question after such a long time together.
Announcing the happy news on Instagram today, Deborah shared a series of snaps in which she, Ben and his wife-to-be Ashley grin as they show off the ring.
Underneath, she said: "He finally put a ring on it! Congratulations to Ben and Ashley for finally getting engaged after 11 years.
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"If you ever followed my podcasts, brother banter features highly, and even Prince William joined in on the action recently.
"The question to my brother has always been, 'why haven’t you proposed?'
"As a family everyone knew they both wanted to, it wasn’t like the it’s been off the cards, it’s just always been apparently about 'the right time'.
"So they finally did it, and then face timed me from Cornwall and then friends all afterwards - my mouth was still opened for the rest of the day."
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Dame Debs, who last month revealed her body was "no longer playing ball" after five years battling bowel cancer, went on to say she was "of course sad" she won't be at the wedding.
She was, however, was grateful for an excuse to throw her "last impromptu party" full of cake and silver fairy lights.
Deborah added: "I couldn’t be prouder to be able to finally say that Ashley will be my sister in law - I adore her.
"And she makes Ben happy which is all that matters and vice versa."
Ben and Ashley's engagement comes after a tearful Debs told how her cancer has brought them closer than ever.
The 40-year-old broke down as she described the "mind-blowingly" close relationship she shares with her brother and sister, and how they have been her guiding light during her darkest time.
"It’s been the best our relationships have ever been," she said, her voice cracking as she held back tears.
Dame Debs and her family have been focusing on the small things as her death draws inevitably closer.
Oh my God, my sister and brother . . . I couldn’t be doing this without them.
Deborah James
This has included quiet time with her parents and a "girly sleepover" organised by sister Sarah last week.
"I cried and cried — it was so special,"; she said.
"We roped my brother Ben in, too. I love the picture of the three of us together.
"We’ve always been really close, but the last few weeks have been mind-blowing.
"It’s interesting, at the end of your life, who you want around you.";
As well as her siblings, Deborah has found her mum and dad to be "amazing", and also her husband Seb and children Hugo, 14, and Eloise, 12.
But it is Ben and Sarah who have been by her side whenever she needs them.
'SO EMOTIONAL'
Debs, who has raised a staggering £6.6million for charity, said: "Oh my God, my sister and brother . . . I couldn’t be doing this without them.
"It makes me so emotional, I’m going to cry. They are incredible.
"We started our lives together and now, in my final days, they are here with me, they get me.
"They are probably two of the only people I haven’t told to ‘f*** off’ this week.
"I can’t really describe how they are getting me through this."
Deborah's honest account of having bowel cancer has touched the hearts of the nation - and the Royal Family.
She said she was "lost for words" after the Duke of Cambridge visited her home to personally present her with her Damehood - as well smashing her original fundraising target of £250,000.
In just five days, thousands of people donated more than £5.5m to the 40-year-old's for Cancer Research UK.
And this has shot up to £6.6m in the weeks since.
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Deborah launched the JustGiving page, urging people to buy her a drink, on May 9 when she revealed she was on hospice care at her parent's house in Surrey.
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She said her body was "no longer playing ball" after medics did all they could to treat her stage four disease.
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The signs of bowel cancer you need to know - remember BOWEL
- B:Bleeding
There are several possible causes of bleeding from your bottom, of blood in your poo.
Bright red blood could come from swollen blood vessels, haemorrhoids or piles, in your back passage.
Dark red or black blood could come from your bowel or stomach.
Blood in your stools is one of the key signs of bowel cancer, so it’s important to mention it to your doctor so they can investigate.
2. O: Obvious change in loo habits
It’s important to tell your GP if you have noticed any changes in your bowel habits, that lasts three weeks or longer.
It’s especially important if you have also noticed signs of blood in your poo.
You might notice you need to go to the loo more often, you might have looser stools or feel like you’re not going enough or fully emptying your bowels.
Don’t be embarrassed, your GP will have heard a lot worse! Speak up and get it checked.
3. W: Weight loss
This is less common than the other symptoms, but an important one to be aware of. If you’ve lost weight and don’t really know why, it’s worth mentioning to your GP.
You may not feel like eating, feel sick, bloated and not hungry.
4. E: Extreme tiredness
Bowel cancer that causes bleeding can cause a lack of iron in the body – anaemia. If you develop anaemia you’re likely to feel tired and your skin might look pale.
5. L: Lump or pain
As with lots of other forms of cancer, a lump or pain can be a sign of bowel cancer.
It’s most likely you’ll notice a pain or lump in your stomach or back passage.
See your GP if it doesn’t go away, or if it affects how you eat or sleep
