Kate Garraway has revealed that the emotional moment her husband burst into tears after she was awarded an MBE came after a 'tough 10 days'. It was announced at the end of 2021 in the now-late Queen's New Year's Honours that the Good Morning Britain presenter would be receiving the honour in recognition for her services to broadcasting, journalism, and charity.
And over a year later, Kate was finally able to get her hands on her award as it was handed over to her on Wednesday (June 28) by the Prince of Wales during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.
The broadcaster's husband 55-year-old Derek, who has been battling the damaging effects contracting Covid in March 2020 had on his body, was able to watch his wife, with the help of a carer who has previously appeared on Kate's social media channels, pick up her prestigious honour alongside her parents, Gordon and Marilyn Garraway.
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Pictures taken from inside Windsor show Kate being given her MBE by Prince William as her proud family watched from the sidelines. There was then a moment she looked over to her husband and her parents, with the Prince's hand on her shoulder, as he gave her loved ones a wave.
Kate, who looked angelic in a cream dress that featured pearl details around the collar and cuffs and a belt around the waist, was then able to enjoy the moment with Derek, Gordon and Marilyn as they posed for photos in the grounds of Windsor Castle. It has since been revealed that they then went on to celebrate the occasion with a number of Kate's co-stars.
GMB co-presenter Ranvir Singh posted a series of photos from the restaurant after dining with the mum-of-two, 56, and her parents, alongside Derek and the couple’s two children, Billy, 13, and Darcey, 17. The Instagram snaps featured Ranvir, Susanna Reid, Richard Arnold, Ben Shephard and Laura Tobin, who all work with Kate on the ITV programme.
Ranvir revealed Kate had given a "touching speech" in which she "thanked everyone at the table but didn’t say a word about [herself]." Ranvir captioned the post: “We got there eventually! A beautiful afternoon with the one and only @kategarraway MBE celebrating her general National Treasure-ness We salute you M’am Garraway!
"So moving to sit down to a meal with Derek, Billy, Darcy, and your mum and dad - alongside your other family @gmb to show you all the love we have in our hearts for you. You gave a wonderful, funny, touching speech where you thanked everyone at the table but didn’t say a word about yourself - typical.
"We thank YOU for always enriching our lives with your whirlwind energy, wit, warmth, and intellect. We are here for all of it, for as long as you need us.. and then some x x x x."
Returning to GMB on Thursday (June 29), Kate showcased her award in the studio, scenes of her special moment played out. Her co-host Ben, 48, said: "Ah look at them all in the back shot," referring to Derek and Kate's family, and she confessed: "Ah I know, Derek burst into tears.
"The lovely thing was Prince William said 'how's Derek' and I said 'here's here!' So we turned and saw and then obviously Derek was very tearful and then spoke about Jake [Derek's carer] and gave Jake a wave as well. Prince William said he wanted to go over but he's not allowed to leave the rug. There's a very fancy red and gold carpet that he stands on."
Later in the episode, she thanked her co-stars and loved ones for coming. Kate added: "It was lovely at the castle there were so many people who wanted to shake Derek's hand and say 'my father, my husband my brother ... what you've gone through has given us a lot of hope.
"Because they are dealing with things from Covid but also other things like cancer which are difficult. So I think he got a huge amount from it as well, which was very very lovely."
She added: "48 hours before he was in hospital - it has been a tough 10 days for him. He was determined to be there." Ben then spoke about how Kate and her colleagues had a party afterwards to celebrate, claiming a cheeky Derek swiped someone else's champagne as he celebrated his wife's achievements.
