Prince William made a rare reference to Princess Kate during her treatment for cancer as he paid an emotional tribute to a British sports star.

Rob Burrow was a Rugby League player for England who died five years after being diagnosed with motor neuron disease (MND).

Burrow raised millions for MND charities before his death was announced by his former club Leeds Rhinos on Sunday.

Prince William was among those to pay tribute in a message on X, formerly Twitter, in which he said Kate too wanted to send her love to his family.

Prince William and Princess Kate are seen in a composite image. William referenced the Princess of Wales in a post on X, formerly Twitter. Samir Hussein and Karwai Tang/WireImage via Getty Images

“A legend of Rugby League, Rob Burrow had a huge heart,” he wrote. “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. W.”

Kate is patron of England’s Rugby Football League (RFL) as well as counterpart the Rugby Football Union (RFU) while William is patron of Welsh rugby’s governing body, putting husband and wife on different sides during clashes between the two nations.

The message was signed off “W” for William, in contrast to some past messages that have come from both royals and been signed off “W and C,” despite the fact the RFL is one of Kate’s patronages.

A legend of Rugby League, Rob Burrow had a huge heart. 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. W

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) June 2, 2024

However, the prince clearly wanted to make clear to Burrow’s family that Kate too was thinking of them.

Kate’s extended absence from public life has presented some significant challenges for Kensington Palace and there are still some signs aides are straining to balance her right to privacy around her health with the public’s right to know about a working royal family member with public funding.

The palace recently released a major report on Kate’s biggest project without including a quote from the princess, though the Daily Mail cited an unnamed source suggesting she had been briefed on its contents behind the scenes.

And a previous post on X about the death of a pilot in a Spitfire crash at R.A.F. Coningsby was signed off by both William and Kate, even though it is Kate not William who is Honorary Air Commandant at the base.

The palace position is, however, that Kate will return to work when she is cleared to do so by doctors, at which point all questions about her whereabouts would dissolve into the air.

Leeds Rhinos said in a statement on Sunday: “It is with deep sadness that we announce the death of our beloved son, husband, father, brother and friend. Rob has always been a true inspiration throughout his life whether that was on the rugby league field or during his battle with MND (motor neuron disease).

“He never allowed others to define what he could achieve and believed in his own ability to do more. The outpouring of love and support that Rob and the whole Burrow family have received over the last four and half years meant so much to Rob. In particular, the rugby league family and the MND community have rallied around Rob to inspire him, thank you for your support.”