The Prince and Princess of Wales have met with a teenage photographer with a rare and aggressive form of cancer after inviting her to take pictures at Windsor Castle.

Kate, who recently announced she had completed chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with cancer earlier this year, was pictured hugging 16-year-old Liz Hatton from Harrogate.

In a personal message on social media, William and Kate 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.”

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The teenager also uploaded some images of the meeting in an Instagram story post on her own account.

She wrote: “Such lovely, genuine and kind people, I’m over the moon that my family and I had this experience.”

Liz also posted a photograph she took of cyclist Sir Mark Cavendish being knighted by the Prince of Wales.

It comes after she was invited to take photos of investiture recipients receiving their honours on Wednesday.

Image:
The Prince and Princess of Wales with Liz Hatton (centre), her mother Vicky, stepfather Aaron and brother Mateo. Pic: Andrew Parsons/Kensington Palace

The teenager was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumours in January.

The disease is an extremely rare form of cancer which usually occurs in the abdomen, according to Sarcoma UK. The charity says around 12 cases are diagnosed every year in England.

Liz’s mother, Vicky Roboyna, said in June that doctors had told her daughter she had between six months and three years to live.

The teenager’s diagnosis prompted her to post a “bucket list” online of all the things she wanted to photograph. The list included her wish to take snaps of a music festival, a fashion shoot and the rehearsal of a major musical.

Moment couldn’t feel more poignant

It’s the first photograph we’ve seen of the Princess of Wales since she confirmed she’s finished her own cancer treatment, and the moment couldn’t feel more poignant.

The pictures showing her warmly hugging Liz Hatton, who has a rare and aggressive form of cancer, and posing with the Prince of Wales and Liz’s family will be a lasting memory of a moment they will never forget.

As Liz said on her Instagram: “I’m over the moon that my family and I had this experience.”

We know the Princess has been deeply moved by others who’ve shared their cancer journeys since she opened up about hers. At a time when she’s only carrying out limited public engagements this felt like a display of her ongoing commitment to use her public platform to do what she can to show her support for others.

But mostly it was about celebrating this amazing teenager who, despite everything, just loves to take photos and wants to make the most of life. Two passions shared by the Princess.

Kensington Palace said Prince William found out about Liz’s story via the London Air Ambulance Charity, of which he is a patron.

“Following the investiture, both the Prince and Princess of Wales met Liz privately with her family to hear about her day and journey,” a Palace spokesperson added.

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From September: Watch Kate’s family video in full

In September, Princess Kate announced she had completed chemotherapy treatment and said her focus was on staying “cancer free”.

In a video, the royal said: “As the summer comes to an end, I cannot tell you what a relief it is to have finally completed my chemotherapy treatment.

“The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. 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.”