THE Royal Family has been lending its support to a former teacher who has set up a charity following the death of her husband and her son. 

Rhian Burke, who was a PE teacher at Queen's College, experienced the double-tragedy after her one-year-old son George died suddenly in February 2012, followed by the death of her husband, Paul, a former Queen's student, five days later.

As a result, she set up 2 Wish Upon a Star to provide family rooms at local hospitals, bereavement counselling and bereavement boxes for parents who have lost a child.

Rhian met Prince William, Prince Harry and the Duchess of Cambridge last year when she ran the London Marathon in support of their Heads Together mental health campaign to encourage people to speak out about their psychological problems.

They met again recently when she was invited to the Royal Foundation Forum attended by the three royals along with Prince Harry’s fiancee, Meghan Markle.

Rhian, who was asked to be on a panel to discuss the Heads Together campaign and mental health, said: “It was quite surreal - meeting the young royals again, having a special mention from William and lots of hugs continues to give me strength.

“They remembered the children and asked how the charity was going too. Four lovely people – helping people like me – who have a voice shout that little bit louder.”

Ms Burke said that, since losing Paul and George in 2012, her life had taken many different paths.

“I wanted to remain a good mummy to my children but also wanted to make a difference to others who experience the sudden loss of a child," She added.

“Paul and I were left alone to cope with our shock and grief when George passed away unexpectedly and our family still received no professional support when Paul died only five days later.

“Despite the work I have done improving bereavement support, I have also been passionate about improving the stigma which exists around mental health.

“I am very open about my own battles, my invisible struggles hidden daily by a mask I would not – and still will not – allow to slip.

“It was only because I became involved in Heads Together and a BBC documentary last year that I faced my struggles and opened up to the PTSD, anxiety and depression I had lived with since 2012.

“The young royals have supported me on my journey and have helped me get my life back on track, becoming once again the mummy I always planned to be.”