Kate Middleton, the Princess of Wales, made her first public appearance since completing chemotherapy, showcasing her resilience and unwavering dedication to her royal duties. On October 2, Kate and her husband, Prince William, attended an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle, where they met with 16-year-old Liz, a cancer patient and aspiring photographer, fulfilling one of the young girl's bucket-list dreams.
Liz, who was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumor, a rare and aggressive form of cancer, was invited by Prince William to photograph the ceremony-a moment that brought together the themes of hope, creativity, and perseverance in the face of adversity.
The Prince and Princess of Wales expressed their admiration for Liz's strength and creativity, posting a personal note on their official social media accounts: "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." The post was signed "W&C," signifying that the message came directly from William and Catherine.
Photographs from the event show a heartwarming embrace between Kate and Liz, as well as a group picture with the royal couple standing alongside Liz and her family. The meeting was arranged through the London Air Ambulance Charity, of which Prince William is a patron, and reflected the deep connections that both the Prince and Princess have with charitable causes close to their hearts.
The event marks a significant moment for Kate, as it was her first public appearance since finishing her chemotherapy treatments. The Princess had been diagnosed with cancer earlier in 2024, though the specific type was never publicly disclosed. Throughout her treatment, she chose to step back from most of her public engagements, focusing on her health and family. Kate announced in September that she had completed her chemotherapy, sharing her relief and gratitude for the support she received during her health battle.
In a heartfelt video message posted in September, Kate opened up about the challenges she and her family faced during her cancer treatment, saying, "The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant, and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown."
She went on to reflect on the experience, noting that it brought her face-to-face with her own vulnerabilities and gave her a renewed appreciation for the simple things in life, especially the love and support of her family.
Despite the toll her illness took, Kate remained committed to her royal duties, making select appearances over the summer, including at high-profile events such as Trooping the Colour and Wimbledon. However, much of her work had been conducted behind the scenes, with William stepping in for numerous solo engagements while Kate recuperated.
The meeting with Liz was particularly meaningful because it touched on one of Kate's personal passions-photography. The Princess is known for her love of photography and frequently takes official portraits of her three children-Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis-for public release. As the patron of The Royal Photographic Society, Kate's shared interest in photography with Liz created a powerful bond between the two.
Liz's story gained traction earlier this year after her mother shared her "photography bucket list" on social media. The young girl's dream of capturing a royal event became a reality thanks to Prince William, whose invitation allowed Liz to document the investiture. Following the event, Liz expressed her excitement on Instagram, sharing a photo of her hugging the Princess of Wales and writing, "Such a lovely, genuine, and kind people, I'm over the moon that my family and I had this experience."
