Prince William has left royal fans emotional and proud after he kept his heartfelt promise to rugby league legend Rob Burrow this week. The Prince of Wales, 43, stepped out yesterday to officially open the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease in Leeds.
The future King had previously promised Rob, who had motor neurone disease (MND) – a life-shortening disease that causes muscle weakness that gets worse over time – that he would open the centre when it was ready. Sadly, Rob died from the disease in 2024, with the prince keeping in touch with the family ever since.
It is believed William feels strongly about raising awareness of the disease, and has supported the family since Rob’s death, which came about months after the prince presented the rugby league legend and his former teammate Kevin Sinfield with their CBEs at Headingly Stadium for raising millions for MND research and support.
Opening the centre officially yesterday, Prince William reunited with Rob’s wife Lindsey and their three children, Macy, Maya and Jackson.
The royal toured the centre, which was opened earlier this month with the help of a massive fundraising campaign, and met researchers and patients.
The centre is the first purpose-built centre dedicated entirely to MND care, research, education and holistic support in the UK, and has been opened in memory of Rob, who was diagnosed with MND in December 2019.
Speaking at the centre yesterday, William said to Robs’ children: “You guys should be so proud of your father. He really was an incredibly brave, very special man. This is a world-leading centre and is going to save a lot of lives. You should be very proud, and everyone is very grateful for you letting us in your family life and understanding what you’ve been managing all together.”
As well as being very special for Rob’s family to have the prince uphold his promise and open the centre, the visit also made royal fans emotional, with many taking to X to praise the prince.
One person wrote: “You kept your promise to Rob Burrows when he couldn’t be there. That means so much.”
Another said: “Thank you for being there.”
Someone else wrote: “It was really thoughtful of you to be there to officially open the Centre that 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.”