Prince William lost his own mother, Princess Diana, when he was 15 years old

Famed BBC Radio 2 presenter Zoe Ball has revealed how Prince William made “beautiful” gestures during her mother’s illness and after her death.

Zoe took a step away from her role as a radio host when her mother, Julia, died in April 2024. She had been battling pancreatic cancer.
Zoe Ball has opened up on her podcast (Credit: Brett D. Cove / SplashNews.com)

Prince William’s sweet gesture to Zoe Ball

On her podcast, Zoe revealed that Prince William made two heartfelt gestures that helped her through such a heartwrenching time, despite his own dealing with the diagnoses of his father King Charles and his wife Princess Kate.

Both the monarch and the Princess of Wales were diagnosed with undisclosed forms of cancer in 2024. Princess Kate is now in remission following treatment. Meanwhile, the king’s treatment is ongoing.

Zoe explained that the Prince of Wales sent her two moving letters.

“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.’
Prince William’s father King Charles is currently battling cancer and Princess Kate is in remission (Credit: SplashNews.com)

How Prince William supported Zoe Ball

“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.”

The radio host explained she was reminded of William’s kindness after watching him in an episode of The Reluctant Traveller with actor Eugene Levy, where he discussed his hopes for his family.

During her mother’s hospice care, Zoe was sometimes absent from her radio shows, so she could be there for Julia.

She described this time period as “pretty tough at the moment for the family”.

Zoe Ball’s mother died in April 2024 following a battle with pancreatic cancer

Following her mother Julia’s heartbreaking death in April 2024, Zoe took to social media to share a tribute.

She penned: “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 shares heartfelt message following loss of his grandmother

Zoe’s son Woody, who she shares with Normon Cook (Fatboy Slim), also shared a touching message following the loss of his grandmother.

He wrote: “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.”