Liz Hatton, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, was pictured hugging the Princess of Wales at an investiture at Windsor Castle in October where the pair discussed their love of photography
It was a poignant moment which captured the hearts of the nation.
Two people who had faced the gruelling diagnosis, battled the agony of cancer and vied selflessly to help others – but one was the future queen and the other was a plucky teenage girl from Yorkshire.
Liz Hatton, 17, called it “a dream come true” to meet the Princess of Wales at Windsor Castle. She has sadly died, less than eight weeks on from the emotional embrace with royalty.
Liz’s photography bucket list, which started after her diagnosis with incurable desmoplastic small round cell tumour, caught the attention of Princess Kate and Prince William. William invited the teenager to an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle in October, a moment Liz called “a great honour”.
Despite her condition rapidly deteriorating since, brave Liz, of Harrogate in North Yorkshire, spent time with Los Angeles-based portrait photographer David Suh, who flew from the US to work with her. Her project culminated in her own photography exhibition in London this month, showcasing her work.
These are memories her heartbroken family will cherish forever – even if now Liz’s mum admits she is bereft with sadness. Vicky Robayna said the passing, which happened early on Wednesday, has left “a gaping Liz-shaped hole in our lives that I am not sure how we will ever fill”.
She wants to support Liz’s younger brother Mateo, whom Liz was reportedly terrified to leave behind. Ms Robayna had told the Daily Mail: “I could not be prouder of her. She has faced every day with unbelievable bravery. And now it’s our turn to do her proud and give her brother the life she expects us to. She was never scared of dying but she was terrified of leaving him behind. It’s our job to make that a little easier for her.”
The family had arranged to celebrate Christmas early this weekend because it was Mateo’s wish to have her here for it. Tragically, it wasn’t to be. However, Liz ticked off many things on her bucket list, including a number of different types of photography. She also photographed a movie premier, London Fashion Week, and the Royal Variety Show.
Writing on X on Wednesday, Ms Robayna: “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.”
Liz may have died so young but her incredible legacy will go on. Photography, until the very end, provided a distraction from “the constant pain” – and her creative snaps leave trails of memories for Ms Robayna and her family.
Speaking to us earlier this year, Liz said something which now remains so very resonant. She said: “I’m particularly fascinated by the emotions that a photograph can portray, or make a viewer feel, as I think it’s almost magical that it can do that.”
