“The Guy Is Just a Machine”: Prince William Honors Sir Kevin Sinfield and Opens Up on Grief Following Emotional Investiture

In a heartfelt new sit-down with BBC Breakfast, Prince William paid tribute to rugby icon and Motor Neurone Disease (MND) campaigner Sir Kevin Sinfield, remarking that the legendary fundraiser should have received his knighthood “years ago.”
Sir Kevin, 46, was among 60 recipients honored by the Prince of Wales during an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, recognizing his extraordinary fundraising efforts for MND charities alongside his contributions to rugby league and union.
“He Should Have Been Sir Kevin Years Ago”

Speaking warmly about Sinfield’s enduring humility and grueling physical feats, Prince William expressed deep personal admiration for the campaigner:
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In Awe of His Endurance: Reflecting on Sinfield’s relentless marathon series, William joked:“I think, frankly, he should have been Sir Kevin years ago. I don’t know how he keeps going; I’m worried about his knees, I’m worried about his hips. The guy is just a machine.”
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Praise for His Character: William emphasized Sinfield’s grounded nature despite his national profile:“He’s a top bloke, really nice guy, good, honest, kind, decent northerner, and I love that about Kevin, that there is no ego with him. He is what you get.”
Supporting the Burrow Family: Addressing Grief Openly

Sinfield’s charity mission was inspired by his former Leeds Rhinos teammate Rob Burrow, who passed away from MND in 2024 after living with the condition for four-and-a-half years. During the interview, William shared that he reached out directly to Burrow’s family following his passing:
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Reaching Out: William confirmed he wrote a personal letter of condolence to Burrow’s loved ones.
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Reflections on Loss: Offering thoughtful insight into handling mourning, the Prince explained:“Everyone grieves differently, and every circumstance is different, so you need to take your time over it. It’s always better to say something around grief than it is to ignore it.”
A Longstanding Royal Connection
The Windsor Castle ceremony marked the latest chapter in a long-running bond between the Waleses and the MND community:
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Surprise on the Road: William and Catherine, Princess of Wales, previously surprised Sir Kevin on the third day of his final “7 in 7” endurance challenge—running seven ultra-marathons across seven consecutive days—in Wakefield, West Yorkshire.
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Headingley Presentation: Back in early 2024, Prince William personally traveled to Headingley Stadium in Leeds to present both Sinfield and Burrow with their CBEs.
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Sir Kevin’s Gratitude: Speaking to the Press Association, Sinfield described feeling “massively humbled” to accept the knighthood on behalf of families affected by MND, praising William and Catherine’s sustained advocacy:“I think he champions pulling communities together… So, his support and, obviously, Princess Catherine’s as well, they’ve been wonderful and bring real credibility to what we’re trying to do.”