Kevin Sinfield described Rob Burrow as a “beacon of hope and inspiration” in an emotional tribute to his best friend, who has died aged 41.
Mr Sinfield said it was the day he hoped “would never come” as he grieved the loss of his former teammate - a “wonderful friend to so many” who “fought to the end”.
“My love and thoughts go to your beautiful family,” he added.
In a personally signed message on X, William said: “He taught us, ‘in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream.’ Catherine and I send our love to Lindsey, Jackson, Maya and Macy.”
Mr Burrow, who had been living with motor neurone disease (MND), died in hospital near his home surrounded by his family after becoming ill earlier this week.
He played 493 times for Leeds and was capped 15 times for his country. Mr Burrows and Mr Sinfielf raised millions of pounds for various MND charities and the Rob Burrow Centre for MND Appeal in Leeds following his diagnosis in 2019.
