Kate Middleton breaks silence on Liz Hatton after 'brave and humble' photographer, 17, dies

The Princess of Wales, who met Liz Hatton at Windsor Castle on October 2, has paid tribute to the inspirational budding photographer who died in the early hours of Wednesday

The Prince and Princess of Wales have paid tribute to "brave and humble" teenage photographer Liz Hatton after she sadly passed away aged 17.

The talented snapper was invited to Windsor Castle as part of a bucket list while facing a rare form of cancer. After photographing William handing out gongs as part of an investiture, Liz was taken into a side room for a surprise meeting with the Princess of Wales.

Kate and Liz discussed their shared love of photographer with the teenager saying it was a “dream” moment. The two were pictured sharing a warm embrace, weeks after the princess had shared the news she had completed her own chemotherapy treatment for cancer.

Liz from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, died in the early hours of Wednesday morning, her mother Vicky Robayna announced on social media.

Today William and Kate posted a heartfelt tribute, saying: “We are so sorry to hear that Liz Hatton has sadly passed away. It was an honour to have met such a brave and humble young woman. Our thoughts and prayers are with Liz’s parents Vicky and Aaron and her brother Mateo at this unimaginably difficult time. W & C."

Previously the royal couple described Liz as a "talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both". Ms Robayna said on X that Liz "was not only a phenomenal photographer, she was the best human and the most wonderful daughter and big sister we could ever have asked for".

"No-one could have fought harder for life than she did," she said. "There is a gaping Liz-shaped hole in our lives that I am not sure how we will ever fill."

Ms Robayna offered her thanks to those who helped the teenager fulfil her dreams in her final months and those who liked and supported her work, adding: "You ensured Liz's last two months were her very best. She flew high until the end."

She asked people to share one of Liz's photos in tribute and also to support the family's mission to fund research into desmoplastic small round cell Tumour, which has no charity specialising in the disease in the UK.

Liz sadly died less than a year after being diagnosed with incurable desmoplastic small round cell tumour, her mum confirmed on social media. She said: "Our incredible daughter Liz died in the early hours of this morning. She remained determined to the last. Even yesterday she was still making plans.

"We are so very proud of the kindness, empathy and courage she has shown in the last year. She was not only a phenomenal photographer, she was the best human, and the most wonderful daughter and big sister we could ever have asked for.

"No one could have fought harder for life than she did. There is a gaping Liz shaped hole in our lives that I am not sure how we will ever fill. We have so much gratitude to every single one of you, whether you offered to help, or liked or shared posts - you ensured Liz's last two months were her very best. She flew high until the end."

Liz had written a bucket list of things she wanted to achieve, including getting her pictures published in magazines. She hit the headlines when she got a hug from the Princess of Wales after being given permission to shoot behind the scenes of an investiture in Windsor.

The teen was joined at the investiture by her mother, stepfather Aaron and brother Mateo, and afterwards she was invited to have tea with the couple. She said of meeting the royals at the time: "I never thought I would get to do anything as massive as this. When I did my bucket list I just put some ideas down. I didn't even think any of these things would happen."

Last month, she worked alongside press photographers at the premiere of Venom: The Last Dance. She was even snapping away on the red carpet of the Royal Variety Show last Friday. Ms Robayna asked people to share one of Liz's photos in tribute to the teen, under the hashtag #LizHatton, and also to support the family's mission to fund research into Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour, which has no charity specialising in the disease in the UK.

Vicky also set up a fundraising page with a goal of raising £100,000. Catherine, who herself was treated for cancer this year, and William, in a personal message earlier in the autumn, described Liz as a "talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both."