Coleen Rooney's Personal Mission Brings Her to King Charles' Carers Reception
Coleen Rooney recently attended a special reception hosted by King Charles III at Windsor Castle, an event dedicated to honoring the inspirational work of both paid and unpaid carers across the nation. For Coleen, this was not merely a formal engagement but a profoundly personal cause, rooted in her family's own experiences with caregiving.
A Heartfelt Connection to the Cause of Care
The meeting between the I'm A Celebrity star and the monarch was deeply meaningful, as Coleen possesses firsthand knowledge of the daily realities faced by carers. This understanding stems from the life of her younger sister, Rosie, who passed away in 2013 at the age of 14 after a lifelong battle with Rett Syndrome.
Rosie was adopted by Coleen's parents when she was just two years old. She lived with Rett Syndrome, a rare genetic brain disorder that primarily affects girls, occurring in approximately one in every 10,000 births. The condition often leads to severe mental and physical disabilities, including challenges with motor skills, feeding difficulties, and seizures, requiring constant, dedicated care.
Remembering Rosie: A Sister's Love and Legacy
In her documentary, Coleen: The Real Wagatha Christie Story, released a decade after Rosie's death, Coleen opened up about her deep affection for her sister. She described Rosie as "the sister that I never thought I was going to have," adding, "She brought that little bit extra to the house. We fell in love with her."
Earlier this year, marking 13 years since Rosie's passing, Coleen shared a touching tribute on social media. She posted a photograph of her sister smiling in a blue top and pink hat, captioning it: "Another year since you left us, Rosie. Keep watching over us." This ongoing remembrance underscores the lasting impact Rosie had on her family.
Family Focus Beyond the Spotlight
Coleen's commitment to family extends beyond her advocacy for carers. Recently, she and her husband, football legend Wayne Rooney, celebrated a proud moment as their son Kai made his debut for Manchester United's U18s at Old Trafford. Kai's journey in football has seen its twists, initially joining Manchester City at age seven before rejoining United in 2020 after Wayne's move to play for DC United in America.
In a 2024 interview on I'm A Celebrity...Get Me Out Of Here!, Coleen revealed the challenges of being a football legend's child, noting that Kai once asked Wayne to stop attending his grassroots games due to being swarmed by fans. "How do you say to all of these kids, 'Go away, I'm watching my son?'" she reflected. Despite this, the Rooneys emphasize allowing their children to forge their own paths, free from pressure.
"We've never pressured them into even playing football," Coleen told the Mirror in September 2024. "We've always just let them decide what they want to do... You've got to let them know that you don't have to follow and to be your own person." This philosophy highlights her dedication to nurturing individuality and well-being in her family, mirroring the care and support she advocates for through her work with carers.
