Princess Kate shares touching tribute to young photographer who died of rare and incurable cancer aged just 17

PRINCESS Kate posted a heartfelt remembrance of a young photographer who passed away at the age of 17 from a rare and incurable disease.

Liz Hatton died early yesterday morning at her Harrogate, North Yorkshire, home.

After being asked to photograph the Prince of Wales at an investiture, Hatton was seen being embraced by Kate at Windsor Castle in October.

“We are so sorry to hear that Liz Hatton has sadly passed away,” Princess Kate stated in remembrance.

“Meeting such a courageous and modest young lady was an honor.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Liz s parents Vicky and Aaron and her brother Mateo at this unimaginably difficult time.”

Many people were moved by the picture of the couple cuddling, and Kate praised the youngster for motivating her and her husband William with her courage and inventiveness.

Following her personal cancer fight this year, the occasion also marked the Princess of Wales’ return to work.

Kate, who also dabbles in photography, announced to the country in March that she had cancer and resigned from her position after the news.

Less than a year after receiving a rare and incurable cancer diagnosis, Hatton tragically passed away.

In an homage to X, her mother wrote on Wednesday night that her daughter never gave up.

“We are so very proud of the kindness, empathy, and courage she has shown over the past year,” Vicky Robayna said.

In addition to being an amazing photographer, she was also the best person we could have asked for, as well as the most amazing big sister and daughter.

“No one could have fought harder for life than she did.”

Following her cancer diagnosis in January, Hatton launched a photography bucket list petition.

When the prince learned of her goal, he asked her to Windsor Castle to take pictures of an investiture ceremony William was hosting.

She was photographed embracing Kate after she unexpectedly requested to have tea with the royal couple.

“It was a pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today,” the royals wrote in a post about the encounter.

“A gifted young photographer who has motivated us both with her power and inventiveness. We appreciate you sharing your images and narrative with us.

Hatton’s brother Mateo, stepfather Aaron, and mother Robayna joined him in the castle.

“Such lovely, genuine and kind people, I’m over the moon that my family and I had this experience,” she wrote in a post about the meeting.

“It was my absolute pleasure to meet everyone and take photos today at Windsor, it was a great honour and was essentially a dream come true, so I truly hope to be part of any and all future events!”

Hatton was given a six-month to three-year survival estimate after receiving a diagnosis of a desmoplastic small round cell tumor in January.

She had several different kinds of photography on her bucket list that she hoped to finish before she died.

Hatton also took pictures of the Royal Variety Show, London Fashion Week, and a movie premiere.

The London Air Ambulance Charity, of which William is a supporter, told him about her.

Only a few days after announcing that she had finished her chemotherapy, Kate went back to work.

Speaking about her battle with cancer, Kate expressed “relief” that her treatment was over: “The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family.”

She also promised to stick “side by side” with people who are battling the illness.

For her daughter, Robayna created a GoFundMe page, and it has raised $50,000, much beyond the goal of $25,000.

Since then, she has organized another event to raise $100,000 for the uncommon cancer research.