Emotional Meeting at Windsor Castle: Liz Hatton’s Legacy
In October 2024, an emotional meeting took place at Windsor Castle between the family of teen photographer Liz Hatton, who tragically passed away from a rare cancer in November of the same year, and Princess Kate and Prince William. The Hatton family cherishes the lasting memories of the compassionate support they received from Kate Middleton and Prince William during their difficult journey.
Liz, hailing from Harrogate, Yorkshire, captured hearts with her unwavering determination to complete a series of ‘bucket list’ photography assignments. The Prince and Princess of Wales presented the family with a special rose that blooms every November, serving as a poignant tribute to Liz’s memory.
Every November, a beautiful flower blooms in Vicky Robayna’s garden in northern England – the Ice N Roses Early Rose, a heartfelt gift from Kate Middleton and Prince William. Liz’s mission to fulfill her photography assignments before succumbing to her illness struck a chord with the royal couple, leaving a lasting impact worldwide.
Liz’s mother, Vicky, sought help on social media to fulfill her daughter’s dream of photography. Through the intervention of a contact at an air ambulance charity supported by Prince William, Liz was invited to photograph a royal event at Windsor Castle, capturing a moment where Prince William presented honors to deserving Britons.
During the visit, Kate, who was also undergoing chemotherapy at the time, surprised Liz with a warm embrace, bringing solace to both Liz and her family. The royal couple’s genuine kindness and down-to-earth nature deeply touched Liz and her family, creating a sense of being embraced by an extended family.
Following Liz’s passing, Vicky and her husband Aaron established Capture, the world’s first charity dedicated to desmoplastic small round cell tumor, the rare sarcoma that afflicted Liz. The charity has raised over $163,000 since November 2024, thanks to the awareness and support garnered from Princess Kate and Prince William.
The support from Kate has been continuous, with Vicky and her family being invited to various events hosted by the royal couple, where they expressed their gratitude for the unwavering support received. Throughout it all, Liz’s passion for photography remained a shining beacon, leaving a lasting legacy embraced by all who knew her.
Vicky wanted the world to see Kate’s kindness towards her daughter and how Liz never let her illness stop her from pursuing her dreams. “She embraced every opportunity with joy. Despite resting most of the time, she came alive when behind the camera, cherishing each moment,” Vicky shares with PEOPLE. To learn more about Princess Kate’s resilience during her cancer recovery, grab a copy of PEOPLE on newsstands this Friday.
Vicky emphasizes Liz’s desire to raise awareness about her rare cancer and to highlight Kate’s compassion towards her. Liz was disheartened by the negative media and online treatment Kate faced during her illness, believing that everyone should have the right to share or withhold health information. She wanted to showcase Kate’s incredible character and kindness to the world.
When Liz feared what death would entail, Vicky showed her that palliative care could focus on living fully. Liz continued pursuing her passion for photography until days before her passing on Nov. 27, 2024. Kate and William expressed condolences to Liz’s family publicly and sent a rose as a personal gesture.
Kate and William’s support helped Liz achieve her photography aspirations, creating enduring memories for her brother Mateo. Vicky reflects on how these positive memories have lessened the trauma for Mateo and how proud he is of his sister’s legacy.
Despite the deep sorrow of losing Liz, Vicky acknowledges the positive experience of her care and the love she received. She expresses gratitude towards Kate and William for the profound impact they had on Liz’s life and their family’s well-being.
Please read the article on People.
