Prince William and Princess Kate meet cancer fighter at Windsor

The Prince and Princess of Wales recently spent time with Liz Hatton, a teenage photographer battling a rare and severe form of cancer, at Windsor Castle. Kate, who announced she had finished chemotherapy earlier this year after her own cancer diagnosis, was seen embracing 16-year-old Liz from Harrogate.

William and Kate expressed their admiration for Liz’s talent and resilience in a heartfelt social media post. They said, “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.”

Liz shared images of the meeting on Instagram, expressing her joy and appreciation. She described the Prince and Princess as “lovely, genuine and kind people,” and was thrilled that her family had such an experience. Additionally, Liz posted a photograph she captured of cyclist Sir Mark Cavendish being knighted by Prince William.

Now lets talk about what just happened today and the significance of this picture.
Today marks the first joint public appearance of Catherine and William in an engagement. And they did it in a very deliberate manner:
• They spent that engagement with Liz Hatton, a 16 year… pic.twitter.com/ti6m6N3VZQ

— Canellecitadelle (@Canellelabelle) October 2, 2024

The teenager had been invited to photograph investiture recipients receiving their honours, an opportunity she cherished deeply. Liz was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumours in January, a rare form of cancer typically found in the abdomen, with only about 12 cases diagnosed annually in England, according to Sarcoma UK.

In June, Liz’s mother, Vicky Roboyna, revealed that doctors had given her daughter a prognosis of six months to three years. This diagnosis led Liz to create a “bucket list” of photography goals, which included capturing images at a music festival, a fashion shoot, and a major musical rehearsal.

For the Princess of Wales, this public appearance marked the first since completing her own cancer treatment, adding a poignant layer to the event. The images of her warmly embracing Liz and posing with the teenager and her family are sure to be cherished memories.

The Princess has been visibly moved by others sharing their cancer journeys since her own diagnosis. Although she is currently limiting public engagements, this visit underscored her commitment to supporting others through her public role. It also highlighted Liz’s incredible passion for photography and zest for life, which she shares with the Princess.

Kensington Palace stated that Prince William learned about Liz’s story through the London Air Ambulance Charity, where he serves as a patron. Following the investiture ceremony, the royal couple privately met with Liz and her family to discuss her experiences and journey.

In September, Princess Kate announced in a video message that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment. She expressed relief and shared the struggles her family had faced over the past nine months, emphasizing how quickly life can change and the challenges of navigating such difficult times.