Prince William surprises rugby icons with CBEs in Leeds for MND fundraising

Prince William surprises rugby icons with CBEs in Leeds for MND fundraising (Image: Getty)

Prince William surprised rugby league legends Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield by awarding them with their CBEs during a meeting in Leeds.

The Prince of Wales travelled to Headingley, the home of Leeds Rhinos rugby league club, to hail the “amazing” efforts of the two former superstars.

Rob and Kevin were awarded CBEs in the New Year Honours list for their motor neurone disease fundraising.

The pair have raised more than £15million for charities since Rob was diagnosed with the incurable disease in 2019 aged 37.

The prince handed them their honours in their old changing room, telling them: “I have brought a special couple of things up to give you today. I did check with Kevin to make sure that you didn’t want to come to London to receive these.”

“But I have brought your CBEs up here today and I thought I might give them to you, if that’s okay, in your home, Leeds,
surrounded by your family and friends. I thought today was a good day to present your CBEs.”

William then held up Rob’s honour so that he could see it, adding: “Thank you and congratulations for all the inspirational work you have done, Rob. You’ve been amazing, you really have.”

“Everyone is proud of you and has been following your case and the money you have been raising. You have changed so many people’s lives with MND. We are all so proud of you.”

Handing the medal to his wife Lindsey, he posed for a photograph with the couple and their three children Macy, 12, Maya, eight and five-year-old Jackson.

He then turned to Rob’s friend and former teammate of more than a decade, Kevin, placing his CBE around his neck, William said: “Huge, huge congratulations you are an inspiration, you really are, thank you.”

“You’ve raised so much. Your brotherly bond and relationship between the two of you has been so amazing to watch. An inspiration to everyone.”

Kevin’s w