KATE Garraway was full of emotion as she dropped her daughter off for her second year at university.
The Good Morning Britain anchor, who is a mum of two, spoke of her “pride” in her eldest and how “empty” her car felt as she prepared to drive home.
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Kate, 58, shares kids Darcey, 19, and Billy, 15, with former political lobbyist Derek Draper, who tragically died aged 56 in January 2024 following four years of health struggles.
Derek was left fighting for his life in hospital after suffering a heart attack over the festive period in 2023 yet before the incident was already one of the UK’s longest-suffering Covid patients, after being diagnosed in March 2020.
Brave Kate has kept her instagram followers up to date as the little family continue to navigate their grief.
Previously, she told of her heartbreak at her first birthday since spouse Derek’s passing while in January, she told of her “gloom” at the one year anniversary of his death.
Yet in happier moments, she has told how her teenagers are battling through.
Dressed in a striped jumper and perching with a brew in the boot of her car, she opened up after dropping Darcey to her university digs.
Kate flashed a smile and told her phone camera: “Another car picnic in the Vicky Volvo.
“This one much more happy and jolly and positive because I’ve got a very happy daughter duly delivered to uni.
“I’ve now got a very empty car, I can’t believe we got all the suitcases and everything in to be honest into Vicky Volvo, but we did it which is great.
“And now I’m just taking a moment for a hot brew before we head off, or I head off. It’s a big one isn’t it?
“You’re so proud of them, you know it’s what they want, everyone seemed fantastic where she was.
“But it’s also a big change and a big moment.”
Turning her focus to her followers in the same position she said: “Good luck to anyone, parents and students, who have been delivering youngsters on their new paths this weekend.
“Good luck to anyone starting something new this week, new jobs, new challenges. Let’s make it a fantastic week.”
GMB’s Kate Garraway and social care reform
KATE Garraway locked horns with Health Minister Wes Streeting in a debate over social care reform on GMB. Yet what is it? And when will it happen?
Kate Garraway – who tragically lost husband Derek Draper in January 2024 – has become a staunch advocate for social care reform and the plight of unpaid carers.
Yet as Health Secretary Wes Streeting appeared on ITV daytime show GMB on January 3, 2025 – the one-year anniversary of the death of her spouse – it was revealed the crucial plans may not be delivered until 2028.
It came after ministers announced the first steps to creating a National Care Service.
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting will today vow to “modernise” the industry.
He is set to launch an independent commission — to be chaired by Baroness Louise Casey — on how to set up the National Care Service.
But she will not report back until next year on issues facing social care.
A second phase — with recommendations for the longer term — is not expected until 2028.
Experts have now urged the government to accelerate the process.
Kate herself said the country cannot wait “another four years” for it to happen.
FAN SUPPORT
As she posted the clip to her Instagram account she put in her caption: “One daughter duly delivered to Uni. Know lots of parents and students doing the same this weekend.
“Good luck to anyone starting a new chapter this week – let’s make it a good one!
“Happy Sunday everyone.xx #freshstarts #unilife @volvocars @volvocaruk.”
Fans were quick to support Kate in the comments section and one wrote: “Oh good luck to your lovely daughter! One more step along the world she goes! Wonderful.”
A second posted: “Know that feeling very well it goes by in a flash hope Darcey has fun.”
A third mused: “Good Luck Darcy, your a great mum Kate.”
One then added: “Good luck Darcey and Kate it is a hard but proud one.”
HEARTFELT REVEAL
Last year, Kate was seen breaking down in tears as she dropped Darcey off at her educational establishment for the first time.
The TV presenter packed a family photograph for Darcey and said that her dad Derek “was with her all the way”.
She previously told The Sun of the milestone moments which were proving difficult following Derek’s death after she marked her first wedding anniversary without Derek – which would have been their 20th.
Last year, she confessed: “I think everyone says the first year is the hardest, I don’t know if that would be the case, but you do have all the milestones that really trigger memories and that one I found personally very difficult.
“Because, whereas Easter, the kids’ birthdays, we’re very sad with him not with us, that would have been made all about the whole family when he was alive, whereas in this instance it felt like a very personal day between him and I.”
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