With a photo of Bonnie Tyler's (1951-2026) award as Member of the Order of the British Empire in 2023, Prince William (44) and Princess Kate (44) expressed their grief over the passing of the British singer. William can be seen in the photo alongside Tyler.
"We are deeply saddened by the death of Bonnie Tyler", reads the message that the heir-to-the-throne couple published on their joint Instagram account. As a proud Welsh icon, the singer touched millions of people around the world with her extraordinary voice and unforgettable music and will inspire future generations. William and Kate's thoughts are with Tyler's husband, her family, her friends, and all who loved her.
The statement concluded with the Welsh words "Diolch am y gerddoriaeth" - in English: "Thank you for the music".
A Photo with a Special Story
The photo was taken in 2023 at Windsor Castle when Prince William presented the singer with the MBE honor for her services to music. For Tyler, the award was a special highlight. "Receiving my MBE from the Prince of Wales is such an honor, brilliant", she said afterwards. "It's a very exciting day, one I'll never forget. I'm a very happy girl."
Bonnie Tyler Dies at 75
News of Tyler's death became known on Thursday morning. On her official Instagram account, her family and team announced that the singer had died unexpectedly. "Bonnie's family and team are devastated to announce that Bonnie passed away unexpectedly last night in a hospital in Portugal as a result of the illness for which she was being treated", the statement read.
Her death was preceded by months of suffering. In May, the performer of "Total Eclipse of the Heart" had been placed in an induced coma at a hospital near her residence in Faro following emergency intestinal surgery, as the British "Mail Online" reported. In June, her team announced that Tyler had awakened from the coma but remained "very ill" in intensive care. Her condition had improved, but only slowly. The doctors had been confident at the time that she would recover, but that it would take time.
Bonnie Tyler is survived by her husband Robert Sullivan, to whom she was married for more than 50 years.
Catherine Zeta-Jones Also Says Goodbye
Since news of her death broke, reactions from the music and film world have been pouring in. Among the first to speak out was Welsh Hollywood actress Catherine Zeta-Jones. There was also a family connection between the two: Tyler's husband Robert Sullivan is a cousin of the Oscar winner.
"My heart is broken at the news that our dearest Bonnie Tyler has passed away", Zeta-Jones wrote on Instagram alongside a photo taken on the eve of her wedding. Tyler had been an important part of her life as her cousin's wife. At her wedding to Michael Douglas, the singer had also performed for the couple.
