Prince William has kept his promise made to the late rugby legend, Rob Burrow, with today’s emotional visit to the north of England.
The Prince of Wales travelled to Leeds to officially open the Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease (MND) – a life-shortening condition that damages motor neurons in the brain and spinal cord, leading to muscle weakness and loss of function.
It is a group of diseases, and while there is no cure, treatments can help manage symptoms.
William, 43, famously presented Rob and Kevin Sinfield, the current skills and kicking coach for the England national rugby union team, with their CBEs back in January 2024 at Headingley Stadium.
At the time, Mr Burrow asked William if he could officially open the Centre in the future – a promise on which the Prince has now delivered.
Ever since then, the Prince of Wales has continued to support Rob’s late wife, Lindsey, including by providing a foreword for her memoir.
The Centre stemmed from Mr Burrow’s determination to create an establishment that treated patients as people, not conditions, and prioritised them and their families.
It is the first purpose-built centre dedicated entirely to MND care, research, education and holistic support in the UK, and stands as a trailblazer for other centres around the country.
Prince William keeps his promise to Rob Burrow with emotional visit up north
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William was met on arrival by Lindsey and her children, Macy, Maya and Jackson, as well as Mr Sinfield, who has tirelessly fundraised for MND charities since Mr Burrow’s diagnosis.
The father-of-three then toured the new world-leading facility, including seeing its R&D area, where he was joined by Mr Burrow’s father, Geoff.
The Prince also met others who supported the fundraising efforts, as well as the medical team, who are already providing care to patients and their families.
Mr Burrow was an English rugby league legend who played his entire 16-year career with the Leeds Rhinos, winning eight Super League Grand Finals.
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Prince William greets Lindsey Burrow as he arrives to officially open The Rob Burrow Centre for Motor Neurone Disease
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After being diagnosed with MND in 2019, he became a national figure for his advocacy and fundraising efforts to raise awareness and support for research into the disease.
Mr Burrow died in June 2024, but his legacy continues through the many charities and awareness campaigns he inspired.
When presenting Mr Burrow his CBE last year, William said: “I brought your CBEs up here to give to you today if that’s okay.
“While you’re in your home, in Leeds, surrounded by your family and friends – I thought today was a good day.
The Prince of Wales (right) meeting Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield during a visit to Headingley Stadium
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“The most amount of thank yous and congratulations for all the inspirational work you’ve done Rob, you’ve been amazing and everyone’s so proud of you.”
Mr Burrow also joked about a nickname that Mike Tindall coined for the Prince of Wales – “One Pint Willy”.
Mr Tindall made the admission while he appeared with his wife, Zara, the prince’s cousin, on Mr Burrow’s podcast.
William replied: “You got the nicknames out of him; he apologised to me about that.”