Kate Garraway has revealed her COVID-stricken husband has been rushed to hospital, shortly after the presenter received an MBE at Windsor Castle.
The Good Morning Britain host was accompanied by Derek Draper as she was bestowed the honour on Thursday for her services to broadcasting, journalism and charity.
But Derek, who has struggled to make a full recovery after falling ill with COVID-19 in March 2020, was subsequently checked into hospital.
He was later discharged but will return to the ward on Monday for further tests.
Taking to Instagram on Sunday evening, Kate told followers: ‘Well what a week, that started with Derek in hospital and ended with Derek in hospital, but with this extraordinary day in the middle.
Concern: Kate Garraway has revealed her COVID-stricken husband has been rushed to hospital, shortly after the presenter received an MBE at Windsor Castle
‘I am so incredibly moved and humbled by the whole experience. So many of you have sent so many lovely messages, including the lady who stopped her car a few minutes ago outside our house to say “I know what you’re going through, and I know how much that moment meant and I am a nurse.”
She added: ‘It was so wonderful to see Derek’s determination to be there, so kind of the Prince of Wales, to make it special for him and to recognise the work of Jake our incredible carer, who represents all those who make Derek’s daily life possible. And of course my long-suffering mum and dad.
‘It was also so humbling to meet all the others, much more deserving than myself, who were there to receive their honours. The Prince of Wales managed to make every single one of them feel as special as they are.
‘Tomorrow Derek is back in hospital and of course the daily struggles go on – but the fact that he was able to be part of Wednesday is to be treasured and I can’t thank everyone in the NHS and all around him who love him for making it possible.
‘I have so many thanks to give but I must make sure I thank @lisaredmanltd for the loan of my ‘fit for a king dress’ and @missbsmillinery for its matching hat.!!
‘Love to you all and happy Sunday.’
Kate previously admitted it was ‘amazing’ that Derek had been able to attend after a gruelling ordeal that saw him become the longest surviving hospital patient with Covid in the UK.
Speaking outside after being given her MBE, Kate told how Derek had marked a huge milestone by being able to sit upright in a wheelchair during the ceremony.
Health: Kate Garraway has given a positive update about her Covid-stricken husband Derek Draper’s health as she spoke at her MBE investiture ceremony on Wednesday
She admitted she was unsure whether he would be able to attend after a difficult ten days, but was thrilled to have been supported by her husband at the event.
Kate said: ‘I thought “oh my goodness” because he’s been doing so much better, and then we had a bit of a drama the last ten days and I thought “oh gosh”, but he is here.
‘It’s amazing, and unbelievably he has been able to sit in the chair, and its a chair you can tilt back, so that’s helped a bit. Everyone inside has been so amazing and made it possible so really important I feel.’
Kate also spoke about the moment Prince William awarded her with her MBE, saying Derek was reduced to tears after the Royal asked how he was doing.
She went on: ‘He said “how is Derek”, and I said “well he’s here”, and then they looked at each other and Derek burst into tears.
‘Derek has been very emotional all day today actually, saying “I’m so proud”. It’s a lovely thing.’
Derek could be seen smiling in a wheelchair as he watched the ceremony in a blue suit and striped tie, while his wife wore a Lisa Redman dress.
Kate accessorised with a bejewelled collar and a matching headpiece for the investiture ceremony which Garraway described as ‘beautiful’.
As well as her husband Derek, Kate was supported at the ceremony by her parents Gordon and Marilyn, who beamed with pride as they posed for pictures.
Family: The presenter, 56, was accompanied by her husband Derek, 55, and her family as she attended Windsor Castle to get her MBE for services to broadcasting, journalism and charity
Emotional: Kate also spoke about the moment Prince William awarded her with her MBE, saying Derek was reduced to tears after the Royal asked how he was doing
The broadcaster has kept viewers updated about Derek’s condition since he first went to hospital in March 2020 – and in April this year shared a heartwarming photo showing him finally back at home with their children Darcey, 17, and Billy, 13.
Derek – who is also a former lobbyist – was left close to death after contracting Covid at the start of the pandemic, most likely at the Prince’s Trust Awards, also attended by King Charles, then the Prince of Wales.
Earlier this month, Kate revealed Derek was finally able to speak.
She told Loose Women: ‘It’s very much a whisper. I don’t think we’re necessarily going to have a conversation, but you get fantastic moments.
‘Billy had a new basketball and was bouncing it, and he said ‘is that new ball?’ He said: ‘It’s nice’…
‘Seeing him able to was amazing. Billy was in tears; they were hugging. It’s things like that that really lift you up, and the next day he was really still.’
Kate also spoke about returning to the show after her 2021 documentary aired, saying: ‘It’s a strange one really. last time I was on here, just got back from jungle, we were planning on renewing our vows….
‘In a matter of weeks, we were in that unfolding drama. It feels like forever ago but it could’ve been just yesterday. in some levels everyone’s lives have changed dramatically, but for me I’m still living the scenes you see in the documentary’.
Back in April, Derek’s smiling return home from hospital gave fresh hope to his family and friends – three years after his body was first hit by Covid-19 and sepsis.
Derek was taken into hospital on March 30, 2020, and remained in an unresponsive condition, later entering a coma. Days later, Kate and her children isolated at home after she displayed ‘mild symptoms’.
Supportive: Derek could be seen smiling in a wheelchair as he watched the ceremony in a blue suit and striped tie, while his wife wore a Lisa Redman dress
Recovering: Kate said it was ‘amazing’ that Derek had been able to attend after a gruelling ordeal that saw him become the longest surviving hospital patient with Covid in the UK
On June 5, 2020, Kate revealed Derek was free from coronavirus but continued to fight against the damage inflicted on his body.
A month later she revealed Derek had woken from his coma but that he remained in a serious yet critical condition.
At the end of September, Derek became the longest surviving patient with coronavirus after spending 184 days in and out of intensive care, where he lost eight stone.
And 13 months after he went to hospital, Kate said Derek was finally allowed to leave in April 2021, but needed round-the-clock care.
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