Prince William and Princess Kate have paid tribute to Rob Burrow, the former Rugby League player who died aged 41 on June 2, it has been confirmed.

The sports professional was described by the Prince of Wales as a Rugby League legend with a huge heart, who raised millions of pounds for charity during his battle with motor neurone disease.

The X account for Kensington Palace posted: “A legend of Rugby League, Rob Burrow had a huge heart. He taught us, ‘in a world full of adversity, we must dare to dream.’ Catherine and I send our love to Lindsey, Jackson, Maya and Macy. W.”

In January this year William travelled to the Leeds Headingley Stadium, where Mr Burrow used to play with the Leeds Rhinos, to give him his CBE.

While there the Prince also met Mr Burrow’s friend and former teammate Kevin Sinfield, as well as his wife Lindsey and their three children.

A statement from the MND Association: “Our thoughts today are with Rob’s wife Lindsey, children Macy, Maya and Jackson, family and friends and the rugby community.

“It is testament to the strength of feeling people have for Rob that the support in his name has never wavered.

“The MND Association is incredibly grateful to Rob and his family for helping to raise awareness of MND, and funds for the Association, by sharing the details of their journey and by inspiring so many people both within the MND community and the wider public.”

While in the changing room at Headingley William handed over the honours to Mr Burrow and Mr Sinfield and explained: ” I have brought a special couple of things up to give you today. I did check with Kevin to make sure that you didn’t want to come to London to receive these.”

He added: “But I have brought your CBEs up here today and I thought I might give them to you, if that’s okay, in your home, Leeds, surrounded by your family and friends. I thought today was a good day to present your CBEs.

“Thank you and congratulations for all the inspirational work you have done, Rob. You’ve been amazing, you really have.

“Everyone is proud of you and has been following your case and the money you have been raising. You have changed so many people’s lives with MND. We are all so proud of you.”

Handing the medal to his wife Lindsey, he posed for a photograph with the couple and their three children Macy, 12, Maya, eight and five-year-old Jackson.