Kate Garraway’s daughter Darcey has been showered in support from fans and friends alike as she heads off to university.
After a difficult year for the family, with the death of the Good Morning Britain presenter’s husband Derek Draper in January, Kate celebrated the huge milestone for her 18-year-old daughter.
Taking to Instagram to share a video of their car filled to the brim with moving boxes, the 57-year-old wrote: ‘And just like that she was off! That tiny helpless baby we brought home from hospital 18 yrs ago has gone to #uni!
‘Just like thousands of other parents this weekend I was playing that game of #student jenga trying to get it all in the car. Thank goodness my beloved Victor #volvo has a massive boot!
‘Such an emotional moment on so many levels & boy is the house quiet.
‘But Darcey we couldn’t be prouder of you starting this new chapter in your life & know your Dad is with you all the way. #happymonday everyone! #newchapter #seizetheday.’
In the clip, Kate could be seen trying to fit everything in the car, moving boxes around to the back seat after the boot was completely full.
‘Gold heels by the way and no actual books as far as I can see!’ Kate laughed, before adding: ‘She thinks she’s so different to me, but when it comes to general chaos and kerfuffle, she’s actually quite like me.’
The presenter’s followers and famous friends rushed to the comments to send their well-wishes to Darcey, with Lizzie Cundy writing: ‘Best of luck gorgeous Darcy and here’s to an amazing adventure. We all so proud of you.’
‘The adventure begins!!’ Anthea Turner wrote, while Carol Vorderman said: ‘Wishing your girl all the happiness in the world on her new adventure.’
Loose Women star Denise Welch added: ‘Have a great time Darcey xxx.’
‘Best of luck Darcey – have an amazing time!’ Kate’s GMB colleague Charlotte Hawkins wrote.
Kate shared Darcey and son Billy, 15, with political lobbyist Draper, who died after a lengthy and difficult three-year battle with complications related to Covid-19.
In recent months, the former I’m A Celebrity star has been sharing her family’s ways of keeping Draper’s memory alive, including visiting his grave to tell him the news of Darcey’s A Level results.
‘Darcey got her results on another one of those firsts this year – Derek’s birthday. She didn’t get what she might have done but hey did better than any of us feared under the circumstances,’ Kate said.
The TV star continued to say she ‘couldn’t be prouder’ of her daughter and said her husband would have been too.
Kate then emotionally told fans she and Darcey visited Derek’s grave to ‘tell’ him the news before going to ‘celebrate with friends’.
‘So am just enjoying the incredible fragrance combined with the mint & raising a mug of tea to Derek – darling we did it – your beautiful daughter is on her way to her next stage in life thanks to your love & guidance and you will live on through her.’
Earlier this week, Billy and Darcey joined Kate on stage at the National Television Awards to accept the Best Authored Documentary award for ITV show Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story, which followed the final year of her Draper’s life before he died aged 56.
During her acceptance speech, the presenter dedicated the award to Draper and NHS carers, and reflected on how her family were halfway through the first year of ‘firsts’ without him, saying: ‘It’s so strange to be here – this one’s for you Derek, absolutely.’
She later revealed that Billy also wanted to say: ‘Dad lives on in our hearts., as she reflected on the win to Susanna Reid and Ed Balls.
Kate said: ‘It was very emotional for us. It feels odd when people says congratulations. The kids burst into tears backstage, and Billy said, “I did want to speak,” neither of them wanted to speak [at the time].”‘
She continued: ‘[Billy] wanted to say, “Dad lives on in our hearts,” and I said, “‘I’m so glad you didn’t because that would have floored me and I wouldn’t have been able to speak.”’
Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story followed on from two other programmes about his battle with Covid and her struggles navigating the care system, which picked up NTA gongs in the category in 2021 and 2022.
Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story is available to watch on ITVX. Good Morning Britain airs weekdays from 6am on ITV1.
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