Kate revealed she and Prince Charles had become “relatively close” at the Prince’s Trust Awards on March 11 – Charles was diagnosed with coronavirus in mid-March.
He said: “Around March 29/30, I came home and went in and said [to Derek] “God you look sick.” “He said he had a headache, numbness in his right arm and was struggling to breathe, “I called Dr. Hilary (Jones) and tried to get through, talk to Derek. He said put me back in, I think you need to call an ambulance. Derek, 52, was taken to the hospital on March 30 and remained in an inactive state. APRIL
Kate and her children were isolated at home after developing “mild symptoms”. Kate said: “Derek remains in intensive care and is still very ill. I’m afraid it remains an excruciatingly worrying time. “I’m afraid he’s still in a deep critical condition, but he’s still here, which means there’s hope.” MAY Kate said: “The journey for me and my family seems far from over as each day my heart sinks as I learn new and devastating ways this virus is waging more battles for Derek. “But it’s still HERE and so there’s still hope.” That month, Kate and her family took part in the final applause for carers She said: “I’ll never give up because Derek is the love of my life, but at the same time I’m totally insecure.” JUNE On June 5, Kate revealed that Derek is now clear of the coronavirus, but is still fighting the damage to his body JULY On July 5, Kate revealed that Derek has woken up from his coma, but remains in a serious but critical condition. On July 8, she announced she would be returning to GMB, after doctors urged her to “get on with life” during Derek’s recovery.
He added that Derek had “opened his eyes” after waking from his coma, but was told his recovery could take years.
On July 13, Kate returned to GMB for the first time since Derek was hospitalized.
On July 28, Kate revealed that she had had an “extremely emotional” first visit with Derek and admitted she is “frustrated” by his slow progress. August On August 14, Kate assured GMB viewers that Derek was ‘still with us’ but it was ‘a waiting game’. On August 19, Kate revealed that she celebrated Derek’s birthday with their two children and described the day as “challenging” for her family. SEPTEMBER
In late September, Derek reportedly became the longest surviving coronavirus patient after spending 184 days in and out of intensive care. Kate reveals that Derek lost eight stone during his battle. The presenter announces that she is returning to her Smooth Radio show so Derek can hear her voice. OCTOBER On October 30, Kate reveals that Derek spoke for the first time in seven months, saying the word “pain” to his wife, who watched “crying” on FaceTime. Kate says a day later that her husband no longer needs a ventilator to breathe. NOVEMBER Kate reveals her family car has been stolen in the latest ‘blow’ to her family life as kind-hearted fans offer their cars to help. She says she feels “physically ill” at the prospect of facing her first Christmas without Derek. DECEMBER The GMB star tells viewers it’s her dream to visit Derek on Christmas Day. She also reveals that she missed two weeks at GMB after her children were exposed to the virus, but thankfully she and the children tested negative. On December 17, Kate has an emotional chat live on GMB with two nurses who treated Derek when he was first admitted to Whittington Hospital in North London. On New Year’s Eve she reflects on the “disastrous” Christmas without Derek as her house flooded and she struggled to find a food delivery position until her friend Emma Willis stepped in to help. JANUARY 2021 Kate reveals that she and her children visited Derek in hospital over Christmas and it was the first time her family had seen him since he was hospitalized. She also says she has been banned from seeing him due to new restrictions introduced during the government’s third lockdown. FEBRUARY Kate reveals she’s not sure how long Derek ‘will ever be able to recover’ after doctors warn he may never wake up from his coma MARCH Kate revealed she was in the process of adapting her home to suit Derek’s needs when he finally leaves hospital, in the ITV documentary Finding Derek. The program was praised by viewers for offering a shocking look at the long-term effects of the coronavirus. Kate also revealed Derek has ‘no muscle left’ since battling Covid APRIL Kate revealed that Derek has finally been allowed to leave hospital, but will need 24-hour care once he returns home. MAY Kate revealed that although he was now home with his family, his communication skills were ‘bare’ and he ‘couldn’t really move’. DECEMBER During an appearance on Piers Morgan’s Life Stories, Kate revealed that Derek had said ‘I love you’ for the first time. After celebrating Christmas, Derek was also pictured in a wheelchair during a trip to the pantomime with his family JANUARY 2022 Kate revealed that Derek was “very tired” and “very weak” after the family outing, adding: “I don’t know what this year will bring.” FEBRUARY Kate gave a glimpse into the daily struggles of caring for her husband amid his battle with Covid in the documentary Caring For Derek. He also revealed that Derek would die within three days if left alone to fend for himself. JULY On July 6, Kate revealed that Derek had been re-admitted to hospital after a ‘relapse’ and in a later interview said he was taking things ‘day by day’. On July 20, it was reported that Kate had retired from hosting Good Morning Britain to be in Derek’s bed after taking a “very serious” turn for the worse.