During a recent visit to Windsor Castle, Kate and Prince William had the pleasure of meeting a remarkable young photographer, Liz Hatton, who is bravely fighting cancer. At just 16 years old, Liz, accompanied by her family, received a warm welcome from the royal couple, who aimed to encourage her passion for photography. Kate, who recently completed her own chemotherapy, shared a heartfelt moment with Liz, embracing her during the visit.
Liz brought her portfolio to showcase her work to the royals, who offered her both praise and encouragement after reviewing her pieces. Tragically, Liz’s doctor has given her an estimated six months to three years to live due to her battle with a rare and aggressive form of cancer called desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT).
On their official social media accounts, William and Kate posted photos from their meeting with Liz, expressing admiration for her creativity and strength. They wrote, “It was wonderful to meet Liz today at Windsor, a talented young photographer whose creativity and strength inspire us deeply. Thank you for sharing your photographs and story with us.” Liz later reflected on her time with them, describing the royal couple as “lovely, genuine, and kind.”
Liz’s passion for photography ignited in sixth grade when she saved up for her first camera. Following her diagnosis in January, she made the decision to step back from school and focus on capturing meaningful images, creating a “photography wish list” to accomplish during her limited time.
Photographs from the visit show Liz alongside her mother, Vicky Robayna, stepfather Aaron, and brother Mateo, as well as the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge. Kate appeared to be in good spirits, sharing a warm embrace with Liz that symbolized solidarity and support.
Earlier this year, in March, Kate publicly announced her own cancer diagnosis and spoke about completing her chemotherapy in a video released last month. She shared how the experience has given her a fresh perspective on life, emphasizing the importance of appreciating “simple but important things.” Looking forward, she expressed her enthusiasm about returning to her public duties and engaging in more royal events in the upcoming months.
After learning about Liz’s inspiring story through the London Air Ambulance charity, Prince William extended a special invitation for her to capture images during an investiture ceremony he was hosting. This visit marked Kate’s first public appearance since announcing the completion of her preventive chemotherapy last month, although it was classified as a private meeting and will not be recorded in the official court diary.
