The Queen’s son, Tom Parker Bowles, has called cancer ‘the most awful disease’ as he stepped out to host a charity event this week to raise money for the Royal Marsden in memory of a young mother-of-two.
Emma Bishop – a much-loved part of the London social scene – sadly lost her life three weeks ago to incurable stage 4 lung cancer aged just 38.
Despite undergoing treatment for the disease, Ms Bishop ran The London Marathon April 2023 for the Royal Marsden Cancer Charity (RMCC) and was spearheading the fundraiser herself, raising £100,000 before her death.
Mr Parker-Bowles, 49, the stepson of Prince Charles, was joined by female celebrity chef Gizzi Erskine who provided the food at the sold-out cancer treatment and research fundraiser held at Ixchel London on the King’s Road.
Speaking to the crowd, the food writer called the Royal Marsden the ‘most fantastic’ charity, saying: ‘Cancer is…it is a truism, it is the most awful disease and so many people have been affected by it in every single way.
‘I don’t know anyone in this room who has not been affected by this disease. So many people have come together to celebrate the most wonderful woman and thank you all so much for coming.’
A friend told the Mail on Sunday, Tom agreed ‘instantly’ to host the event as the Royal Marsden is close to his heart being the centre which treated his former girlfriend Alice Procope who died of cancer aged 42 in March 2021.
Tom Parker Bowles, has called cancer ‘the most awful disease’ as he stepped out to host a charity event this week to raise money for the Royal Marsden in memory of young mother-of-two Emma Bishop
Speaking to the crowd, the food writer called the Royal Marsden the ‘most fantastic’ charity, saying: ‘Cancer is…it is a truism, it is the most awful disease and so many people have been affected by it in every single way’
A friend told the Mail on Sunday, Tom agreed ‘instantly’ to host the event as the Royal Marsden is close to his heart
Ms Procope was the granddaughter of the 2nd Viscount Ingleby and had three young children with her estranged husband, Robert Procope, grandson of baronet Sir Robert Wigram.
She had been seeing Mr Parker-Bowles for nearly two years, following his split from his fashion writer wife Sara Buys in 2018, and he was reported to have been ‘devastated’ at her death.
Mr Parker-Bowles’ stepfather King Charles has been receiving treatment for cancer since February. The King is close to Tom, who previously said he has ‘always adored’ the monarch.
‘I’ve always adored my stepfather; he’s always been a kind and good and lovely man,’ he said.
‘He is a man of warmth, intelligence and humanity and I think if it ever happens, he will make a fantastic King.’
Tom, whose father Andrew Parker Bowles is Camilla’s first husband, and whose sister Laura Lopes is an art curator, has written five cookbooks and won the Guild of Food Writers award in 2010 for his writings on British food.
He has also appeared regularly as a critic on Masterchef.
King Charles was diagnosed with cancer after a procedure for benign prostate enlargement, he shared in February. He returned to his public duties by the end of April.
This week, the King celebrated his 76th birthday, attending the premiere of the film sequel Gladiator II.
Charles’ birthday was previously celebrated in June with the yearly Trooping the Colour parade. Princess Kate attended the ceremony, which marked her return to public life after she was diagnosed with cancer.