The stepson of Prince Charles has been left heartbroken following the death of his girlfriend aged 42 after her cancer diagnosis was reportedly delayed by lockdown.
Tom Parker Bowles, the son of Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, 46, was dating former journalist Alice Procope who died at home on March 17, the Daily Mail reports.
Mr Bowles, who was with Ms Procope for almost two years, is said to have been left devastated by the death.
A friend told the Mail: "Tom had been blissfully happy with Alice and is devastated that life can be so cruel."
Reports claim that partly due to coronavirus restrictions, the mum-of-three's diagnosis came too late.
A friend said: "Partly because of Covid, Alice's cancer diagnosis didn't come until last August by when it was too late.
"That's what's so really cruel and there will be countless others like her."
Ms Procope sadly leaves behind three children; Katherine, Wilfred and Georgia.
Her death comes as thousands of Brits are thought to have missed out on crucial appointments and fears grow over delayed cancer treatment and diagnosis around the country.
Tributes have been paid to Ms Procope, with one poignant message saying "42 is no age".
Steph McGovern tweeted: "Woah, bit of a shock today hearing about the death of Alice Procope.
"We worked together as journalists for a while. She was so much fun.
"Gutted for her family. 42 is no age."
A report by Macmillan Cancer charity said that thousands fewer people in 2020 started treatment after a cancer diagnosis than in 2019.
In England alone, between March and August 2020, around 30,000 fewer people had started their first cancer treatment compared to the year before.
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