Kate Garraway has reminisced about a memorable meeting she had with King Charles ahead of the Coronation this weekend. Kate, 56, who is a regular host on Good Morning Britain appeared on Lorraine on May 5 to chat to Lorraine Kelly during a Coronation special of her weekly morning show.
The GMB host recalled one of her meetings with King Charles III at a The Prince's Trust event last year, where she compared herself to a 'wet dog' due to being caught in the rain ahead of meeting the then Prince.
Kate also detailed how King Charles helped her husband Derek Draper, who has endured difficult times following his Coronavirus ordeal which began in early 2020.
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Derek, 55, was struck down with the virus and quickly became critically ill and he is believed to be the worst-affected living Covid patient in the UK after spending 13 months in hospital between March 2020 and April 2021.
After returning home in 2021, he has been receiving 24-hour care, but was sent back to hospital several times last year following health issues amid his recovery.
Speaking to Lorraine, Kate explained: "When Derek got sick and he was very ill in a coma, Charles and the Queen had both had Covid and he wrote the most amazing personal letter and it was wonderfully uplifting.
"What he does, and I think this is what he will be thinking about tonight and tomorrow, is that he gets why it's special for people to have that sort of letter and why his role makes it special.
"On a personal level, he also said he has a personal position which has been very helpful with me and would you like to make use of me.
"His doctor also works in a hospital in London so I did speak to him and it's very kind. At that point I think I was scrabbling for anything and I thought 'why not take the friend of the King' or the Prince of Wales at the time. I think he's a very careful and kind man."
Kate then detailed a meeting with the King where she described herself as resembling a 'wet dog'.
"I was running from one thing to another and I got very wet on the way, I got inside the room and suddenly found myself face to face with the Prince of Wales now King," she said.
"I became very aware that I started to have that odour of a wet dog, so I told him 'I'm so sorry I probably smell like a wet dog'.
"I went to shake his hand and then there was a huge thunder clap and he said 'never mind dogs have you got contact with Thor?'.
"He's fun and lovely'."
Just a few days ago, Kate shared a smiling photo of her husband at their London home - a rare occurrence as she normally keeps photos of her husband private - as she heaped praise on one of his carers.
She took to Instagram with the snap which sees Derek sitting up in bed with a smile on his face and holding hands with his healthcare professional, Jake.
"Many of you will remember Jake who cared for Derek when he first came out of hospital in April 21 - from the documentary #caringforderek, so you will know what a wonderful healthcare professional he is," Kate started her post.
She then added: "The world of carers never fails to surprise me with their depths of talent, thoughtfulness and motivation #happyfriday all!"
It is the first time Kate has shared a photo of Derek since March 2022, when she posted a snap of Derek in his wheelchair in the garden with their son Billy, as she spoke about how gardening had been pivotal to keeping on top of her own mental health.
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