March 2020 witnessed a significant revelation from Kate about her relationship with Prince Charles during the Prince’s Trust Awards on March 11. Right around mid-March, Charles was diagnosed with coronavirus. Recalling the incident, Kate said, “Around March 29/30, I came home and saw Derek looking very ill. He complained of a headache, numbness in his right hand, and difficulty breathing. I immediately called Dr. Hilary (Jones) but couldn’t get through. Eventually, Derek spoke to him and Dr. Hilary advised me to call an ambulance.” Consequently, Derek, aged 52, was admitted to the hospital on March 30 and has been in an unresponsive condition since then.
In April, Kate and her children isolated themselves at home after she experienced mild symptoms. During this time, Derek’s condition remained critical, which caused Kate immense worry. She stated, “Derek is still in intensive care and his condition is still very grave. It is an excruciatingly anxious time for me and my family. However, the fact that he is still here gives us hope.”
May brought more distress for Kate and her family as they continued to witness the ongoing struggles and battles that Derek faced with the virus. Together, they participated in the final clap for carers. Kate shared her conflicting emotions, saying, “I will never give up because Derek is the love of my life. But, at the same time, I am overwhelmed by uncertainty.”
On June 5, Kate revealed that Derek had recovered from coronavirus, but his body was still grappling with the aftermath. In July, she disclosed that Derek had emerged from his coma but remained in a serious yet critical state. Urged by doctors to carry on with her life amidst Derek’s recovery, Kate returned to GMB on July 8. Although Derek had opened his eyes and showed signs of improvement, his recovery was expected to take a long time. Finally, on July 13, Kate made her first appearance on GMB since Derek’s hospitalization. Later in the month, she had an emotional visit with Derek, who, despite slow progress, she described as “extra emotional.”
Throughout August, Kate provided updates on Derek’s condition, ensuring viewers that he was still fighting and holding on. On August 19, she shared that they celebrated Derek’s birthday with their children but acknowledged the challenges they faced as a family. As September came to an end, it was reported that Derek had become the longest surviving patient with coronavirus, spending 184 days in and out of intensive care. Kate revealed that he had lost eight stone during his battle. She also announced her return to her Smooth Radio show so that Derek could hear her voice.
In October, a breakthrough occurred when Derek spoke for the first time in seven months, uttering the word ‘pain’ to his wife over FaceTime. The following day, Kate shared the news that Derek no longer required a ventilator to breathe. However, November brought more complications when Kate’s family car was stolen, adding to the challenges they faced. Kate expressed her distress at facing her first Christmas without Derek.
As December approached, Kate expressed her deep desire to visit Derek on Christmas Day, considering it her dream. She also missed two weeks on GMB as her children were exposed to the virus, but fortunately, they all tested negative. On December 17, Kate had an emotional conversation with two nurses who treated Derek during his initial admission to Whittington Hospital. New Year’s Eve brought reflections on a tumultuous Christmas without Derek, including a flood in her house and the difficulty in securing a food delivery slot, which was resolved with the help of her friend Emma Willis.
In January 2021, Kate shared that she and her children were able to visit Derek in the hospital during the Christmas period, which marked the first time they had seen him since he was hospitalized. However, due to new lockdown restrictions, she was banned from visiting him further. In February, doctors warned Kate that they were unsure of Derek’s recovery prospects, and he may never wake from his coma.
March brought the release of the ITV documentary Finding Derek, where Kate revealed her ongoing efforts to adapt her home to suit Derek’s needs when he is ultimately discharged from the hospital. The documentary offered viewers a heartbreaking insight into the long-term effects of coronavirus, highlighting Derek’s severe physical muscle loss as a result of battling Covid.
April brought the news that Derek was finally discharged from the hospital but required round-the-clock care at home. In May, Kate shared that despite being reunited with his family, Derek’s communication abilities were minimal, and he faced difficulties with mobility.
By December, Derek had said “I love you” for the first time, bringing emotional catharsis to Kate. The family was pictured at the pantomime, with Derek in a wheelchair, embracing some moments of joy. However, in January 2022, Kate disclosed that Derek was still fatigued and weak, leaving uncertainty about the future.
In February, Kate shed light on the daily struggles of caring for Derek amidst his battle with long Covid in the documentary Caring For Derek. She also revealed the critical nature of his condition, stating that he would not survive more than three days without assistance.
July saw a downturn in Derek’s health, leading to his re-admission to the hospital. Kate shared that she takes each day as it comes, dealing with the uncertainty and the severity of the situation. On July 20, news broke that Kate had withdrawn from hosting Good Morning Britain to support Derek at his bedside after his condition took a serious turn. Recalling the experience, Kate expressed her terror as Derek told her, “This is it, I am gone.” The sepsis he endured was heart-wrenching for the family as it had gone undiagnosed until it was nearly too late.
In January 2023, Kate’s emotions overwhelmed her as she confronted former health secretary Matt Hancock on his pandemic management and participation in I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here. Tears streamed down her face as she spoke of Derek, who had been unwell for almost three years. Expressing the public’s anger toward Hancock, she emphasized the need for him to be held accountable.
In April, Kate shared that Derek had once again been admitted to the hospital, and she also highlighted the moment when Sir Elton John dedicated a song to the couple, commending them for their resilience. May brought news of a potential massive tax bill for Kate, as she was forced to close Derek’s business years after his battle with Covid-19 began. Despite the financial burdens and emotional stress, Kate remains determined to pay any owed amount.
By following the journey of Kate and Derek’s struggle, viewers have witnessed the devastating effects of the virus and the immense strength and resilience of this family.
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