Prince William and Princess Kate have shared a heartfelt tribute following the death of 17-year-old Liz Hatton, a talented young photographer who captured their hearts and inspired many during her courageous battle with cancer. Liz, who was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, desmoplastic small round cell tumor, passed away on November 27, leaving behind a legacy of creativity, strength, and resilience.
"We are so sorry to hear that Liz Hatton has sadly passed away," the royal couple posted on their official social media accounts. "It was an honor 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. W & C." The message, signed with their initials, reflected a personal touch, signaling the depth of their connection to Liz and her family.
Liz's story captured the attention of the nation after she fulfilled a bucket list dream by meeting the Prince and Princess of Wales at Windsor Castle on October 2. Liz, a budding photographer from Harrogate, England, had been invited to photograph an investiture ceremony where William presented honors. The event included a private moment with Kate, who embraced Liz warmly and shared a conversation about their mutual love for photography. This poignant encounter became symbolic of Liz's remarkable journey.
Kate, herself an enthusiastic amateur photographer, expressed her admiration for Liz's talent. In a previous tribute, the royal couple described Liz as "a talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both."
Prince William and Kate are grieving the death of Liz Hatton, the 17-year-old photographer they hosted at Windsor Castle last month. "Our thoughts and prayers are with Liz's parents Vicky and Aaron and her brother Mateo at this unimaginably difficult time. W & C" pic.twitter.com/DCv68ensJU — HELLO! Canada (@HelloCanada) November 28, 2024
Liz's mother, Vicky Robayna, announced her daughter's passing on social media, describing her as "the best human and the most wonderful daughter and big sister we could ever have asked for." She added, "No one could have fought harder for life than she did. There is a gaping Liz-shaped hole in our lives that I am not sure how we will ever fill."
Despite facing an incurable diagnosis, Liz continued to pursue her passions and live life to the fullest. Just weeks before her passing, she worked alongside press photographers at high-profile events, including the Royal Variety Show and the premiere of Venom: The Last Dance. Her work earned admiration for its creativity and professionalism, fulfilling her dream of having her photos recognized.
In her final months, Liz's bucket list served as a source of hope and determination. She cherished her meeting with the royal couple, describing it as a surreal experience. "Such a lovely, genuine, and kind people," she wrote on Instagram after her visit to Windsor Castle. "I'm over the moon that my family and I had this experience."
Vicky credited the outpouring of support from the public for making Liz's last months "her very best." She urged people to honor her daughter by sharing her photographs and contributing to research into desmoplastic small round cell tumor, a condition with limited treatment options and no dedicated charity in the UK.
In a radio interview following her meeting with the royals, Liz described William and Kate as embodying humanity and kindness. "Talking to them was amazing-like talking to anyone, just normal people," she said.
