Princess Kate and Prince William helped a teen photographer battling cancer check an item off her “bucket list” Wednesday at Windsor Castle.
Liz Hatton, 16, was diagnosed with a rare and aggressive form of cancer in January. Doctors gave her between six months and three years to live. She has spent much of that time attempting to live out her dreams as a professional photographer.
William and Kate held an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle on Wednesday and invited Hatton to photograph the event.
“A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today,” the couple wrote on social media. “A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both. Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us.”
The royals shared a photo with Hatton’s family and a snap of Kate hugging the teenager.
Hatton, from Harrogate in north England, was diagnosed with a desmoplastic small round cell tumor, according to a BBC story from June. Her mother shared her photography “bucket list” on social media in May, leading to several opportunities.
“It’s completely blown our minds. Liz has had some amazing opportunities that we would never have put on the list,” her mother, Vicky Roboyna, told the BBC.
Wednesday’s event at Windsor Castle involved several sports stars being honored with knighthoods and damehoods, including cycling star Mark Cavendish. The moment was captured by Hatton.
“Congratulations to everyone who received honours at Windsor today!” the prince and princess wrote on Instagram. “It was a pleasure to have @lizhatton_photography helping us to capture these special moments.”
Kate, 42, has made few public appearances since undergoing abdominal surgery in January and revealing her own cancer diagnosis in March. In early September, she revealed she had completed chemotherapy treatment but said her road to recovery was ongoing.
“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family,” she wrote in a statement on social media. “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.”
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