Recently, the Duchess of Cambridge, Kate Middleton, has started to gradually resume her royal duties after completing her chemotherapy treatment. In a heartwarming gesture, she and her husband, Prince William, welcomed 16-year-old photographer Liz Hatton, who is currently battling cancer, and her family to Windsor Castle. During their time together, they helped Liz fulfill her dream of pursuing photography. Kate shared an emotional hug with Liz, providing her with comfort and encouragement.
Liz, who has a deep passion for photography, brought along her portfolio to showcase her work, receiving enthusiastic praise from the royal couple following their meeting. Unfortunately, Liz’s doctor has estimated that she may have between six months to three years left to live.
On their official social media accounts, William and Kate posted photos from their encounter with Liz, stating, “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 photos and story with us.” In response, Liz expressed her heartfelt gratitude on social media, describing the Duke and Duchess as “lovely, genuine, and kind people,” and emphasized how joyful her family was to have this experience.
British media reports reveal that Liz discovered her passion for photography in sixth grade, saving up to buy her very first camera. In January of this year, she received a diagnosis of desmoplastic small round cell tumor (DSRCT), a rare and aggressive type of cancer. Doctors informed her that her time may be limited to just a few years. During her battle, Liz’s mother shared that Liz chose to step back from school to pursue her photography dreams fully, even creating a “photography wish list” to capture meaningful moments in her remaining time.
Photos from the event show Liz alongside her mother, Vicky Robayna, stepfather Aaron, and brother Mateo, alongside the Duke and Duchess. Kate appeared healthy, and one touching image captures her embracing Liz, symbolizing their shared experience and solidarity.
Earlier this year, in March, Kate announced her own cancer diagnosis. Last month, she revealed the completion of her chemotherapy with a video message, expressing how her journey has provided her with a renewed appreciation for “the simple yet important things” in life. She looks forward to returning to her work and engaging in public appearances in the months ahead.
After learning of Liz’s story through the London Air Ambulance Charity, Prince William extended a special invitation for her to visit Windsor Castle. He arranged for Liz to photograph a ceremony he was hosting, and Kate took the opportunity to meet Liz privately, sharing their own experiences with cancer. This visit marked Kate’s first public appearance since announcing the conclusion of her preventive chemotherapy last month. While the gathering was deemed a private event and will not be recorded in the court’s official logs, it undoubtedly left a lasting impact on everyone involved.