27-02-2025
Prince of Wales praises Rob Burrow's widow for memoir of ‘perseverance and love'
The Prince of Wales has praised Rob Burrow's widow in a personal audiobook recording of his foreword to her new book.
The Prince, 42, said Lindsey Burrow's memoir, Take Care: A Memoir Of Love, Family and Never Giving Up, contains her story of 'compassion, perseverance and love' following her late husband's four-and-a-half-year battle with motor neurone disease (MND).
Rob Burrow, who died aged 41 last year, was a Leeds Rhinos and Great Britain rugby league player who became a prominent MND campaigner following his diagnosis.
In his foreword, the Prince praised Burrow's 'incredible fundraising efforts' and the 'incredible strength, positivity and resilience' of his wife.
'Rob told me that Lindsey was far tougher than any of the men he had played with, or against, over the years,' the Prince said, adding that her love and dedication to her husband was 'unwavering' and 'plain to see'.
It comes after the Prince had surprised Burrow in January 2024, by presenting him and Kevin Sinfield, his good friend and former team-mate, with their CBEs to recognise their efforts in raising £15 million and awareness to fight MND.
In the foreword, read aloud by the Prince in the audiobook version of the memoir, published on Thursday, he said that he was 'so honoured' meeting the pair at Headingley Rugby Ground.
'During that visit, the love and admiration for Rob and all that he had achieved – both on and off the pitch – was evident,' the Prince said.
He also praised Mrs Burrow's efforts in continuing to raise the couple's three young children throughout her husband's diagnosis and 'crucially, supporting them to understand and process such difficult and life-changing news'.
His words come after a year in which he and the Princess of Wales, similarly dealt with supporting their three young children – Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six – through understanding the Princess's cancer diagnosis.
Mrs Burrow said she was 'beyond honoured' by the Prince's touching personal tribute to the late rugby great.
Sharing a short clip of him reading his foreword on Wednesday morning, she wrote: 'If you get the book in audio, you will even hear the foreword read by HRH Prince William.'
The Prince also used the foreword to pay tribute to Mrs Burrow's 'round-the-clock' care for her husband through his MND diagnosis, writing: 'Her immediate response to the devastating news of Rob's diagnosis was to do everything she could to look after and support him.'
He added that the book shines a light 'on those who are dealing with incredibly difficult situations, putting others' needs before their own, and making great personal sacrifices every day.'
Burrow was diagnosed with MND in December 2019, just two years after retiring from the sport, having played for Leeds Rhinos throughout his career.
His and Sinfield's fundraising efforts began as a simple attempt to provide support for Mrs Burrow and their children but rapidly evolved .
The Prince, who also met Mrs Burrow and the three children when he surprised Burrow with his CBE, led the heartfelt tributes following his death.
He described Burrow as a 'legend of Rugby League' who had a 'huge heart', adding: 'He taught us, in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream.'
The Prince also sent a personal message to Burrow's family after his death, which Mrs Burrow described as 'heartwarming and sincere' and 'something that we will treasure as a family forever'.
Mrs Burrow juggled her day job with the NHS as a physiotherapist, with round-the-clock care for her husband, who could not move or talk, and could only eat with his wife's assistance, while also raising her young family and helping to campaign for awareness of MND.
