Professor Jane Hawking 's first wife HawkingJane Hawking was also in attendance and made a plea for a 'big overhaul ' of government policy . Speaking at Motor Neurone Disease Association ( MNDA ) reception at the Buckingham Palace . Prof Jane Hawking was diagnosed with a rare form of motor neurone disease ( MND ) in 1964 at the age of 22 and given just a few years to live . Cumberbatch played the professor in 2003 BBC drama 'Jane Hawking ' The actor has been a patron of the charity for eleven years .
Professor Hawking 's first wife Jane Hawking was also in attendance and made a plea for a 'big overhaul ' of government policy . Speaking at Motor Neurone Disease Association ( MNDA ) reception at the Buckingham Palace . Prof Hawking was diagnosed with a rare form of motor neurone disease ( MND ) in 1964 at the age of 22 and given just a few years to live . Cumberbatch played the professor in 2003 BBC drama 'Hawking ' The actor has been a patron of the charity for eleven years .