The day before she had open-heart surgery, her close friend of 20 years, Jane Stephens (Crown Princess Mary's sister) became an ambassador for the Heart Foundation.
It was 11 years after Ms Stephens' mother Henrietta Donaldson died from complications related to a heart condition.
"[Maria's situation] was one of the factors that contributed to me wanting to raise awareness of heart disease in women," Ms Stephens said. and again....OH, FOR FUCK'S SAKE
