documented her filled-up Volvo as she embarked on her ‘annual family trip’ to Cornwall.
This is the first holiday the broadcaster has gone on since her husband, author and former political lobbyist , died aged 56 on January 3 from a cardiac arrest following years of complications from Covid-19.
Kate, 57 and their two children Darcey, 18, and Billy, 14 have been vocal about the years of medical support the family provided Draper as he continued to deteriorate in a post-humously aired three-part documentary series on ITV, Kate Garraway: Derek’s Story.
Now, the TV personality has taken to Instagram to share her latest trip, with a special nod to her late husband.
she talks about packing four suitcases, a good amount of food for the journey and driving to Cornwall for the first time with her ‘mum and dad’ in her ‘lovely new Volvo’.
In the caption she wrote: ‘We haven’t had a car since Vickie Volvo was stolen and Percy Peugeot had to go back but thanks to some amazing friends who’ve helped me loan a brand new Volvo C90 – I absolutely love it!!!!!
‘Not an advert just a passion! Feels like old times with hands on a Volvo wheel, although bitter sweet as this would have been the perfect car to carry Derek in and out of with plenty of room for a hoist and wheelchair in the back. But I know he would approve.’
She ended the caption by telling followers now she just needed to ‘find a name for it’ to which people offered a sweet suggestion.
‘You should call the car Derek as he would have loved it & hope you & Darcey & Billy & rest of the family have a brilliant chilled relaxed holiday you all deserve,’ samgodbehere73 wrote.
‘If you had a nick name for Derek that might be a good one,’ abcoldies added.
Mostly, fans sent their well wishes Kate’s way, and hopes for a restful holiday.
Kate has previously opened up about with her children, even though it will be challenging.
‘We will get a family holiday. But it’s going to be a bit challenging because it’s a different kind of family set-up that we have now. But we will do something lovely.’ Kate told MailOnline earlier this year.
But in a recent interview, she admitted that she is .
‘I’m just three months in so there are many ups and downs to come,’ she said.
‘At the moment it’s about focusing on the youngsters, Billy and Darcey and focusing on doing things like this when I can that I haven’t been able to do.’
Holidays are not the only difficult milestones she is opening up about.
Earlier this month she without her husband and took to Instagram to share a video of her surrounded by friends and family as she blew out her cake.
‘Well yesterday was another one of those sad 1st’s – my first birthday since Derek’s passing,’ the star wrote beneath the video.
Kate continued: ‘Woke up feeling so sad & thought well I can either cry all day or celebrate life as he did so well. And thanks to wonderful friends it worked!’.
The broadcaster was married to Draper for 19 years, having tied the knot in 2005.
Earlier this year, Kate admitted that the medical bills to cover Draper’s care had sent her into an .
‘Derek’s care costs more than my salary from ITV and that is before you pay for a mortgage, before you pay any household bills, before you pay for anything for the kids, so we are at a crunch point,’ she said during the documentary.
‘I am in debt. I can’t earn enough money to cover my debt because I am managing Derek’s care and I can’t even use the money I do have to support Derek’s recovery because it’s going on the basics all the time.’
