Kate Middleton and Prince William Pay Tribute to 'Brave' Teen Cancer Patient Liz Hatton After Her Death at 17

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Kate Middleton, Liz Hatton and Prince William at Windsor Castle on Oct. 2, 2024.Photo:Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamare paying tribute to teen cancer patient Liz Hatton following herdeath at the age of 17on Wednesday, Nov. 27.

The Prince and Princess of Wales met Hatton and her family at Windsor Castle on Oct. 2 as the royal couple helped the young photographerfulfill a “bucket list” dream.

On Nov. 28, William and Kate, both 42, said in a heartfelt statement posted on their social media accounts, “We are so sorry to hear that Liz Hatton has sadly passed away. It was an honour to have met such a brave and humble young woman.““Our thoughts and prayers are with Liz’s parents Vicky and Aaron and her brother Mateo at this unimaginably difficult time.” The couple signed the post, “W & C,” using the initials of their first names as shorthand to signal that the message came directly from them.

A picture of Princess Kate hugging Hatton, from Harrogate, England, went around the world after the meeting at the Castle. Kate had onlyannounced weeks earlierthat she had ended her course of chemotherapy treatment after beingdiagnosed with cancerearlier this year.

Hatton was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumor, a rare and aggressive form of cancer in January. Doctors gave her a prognosis of anywhere from six months to three years to live, according to theBBC.

Kate Middleton and Prince William with Liz Hatton, center, and her family at Windsor Castle on Oc. 2, 2024.Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace

Hatton came to prominence when William and Kate invited the photographer to capture an investiture ceremony, in which William handed out honors to outstanding individuals, at Windsor Castle. It formed part of Hatton’s ongoing list of remarkable assignments that she wanted to fulfill.

Afterwards, as they released pictures of their Oct. 2 meeting, the couple shared on social media, “A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today. A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both.”

“Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us. ❤️ W&C,” they added.

Hatton also shared her own reflections on the day on Instagram. “Such a lovely, genuine and kind people, I’m over the moon that my family and I had this experience,” she wrote at the time on her Instagram Stories under a photo of herself hugging the Princess of Wales, who, like Hatton, enjoys photography. Kate has described herself as an “enthusiastic amateur photographer” and serves as patron of The Royal Photographic Society.

A day later, Hatton appeared on theTodayprogram on BBC Radio 4 and said of the royal couple, “Talking to them was amazing ‘cause it was like talking to anyone, like just a normal person. There was no sort of grandeur about them, there was justhumanity and kindness.”

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source: people.com