Kate and Prince William helped make teenager’s ‘dreams come true’ before she died of cancer
The mother of teenage photographer Liz Hatton has spoken publicly for the first time since her daughter’s death, revealing how the kindness of the Prince and Princess of Wales helped make her final months her happiest.
Victoria Robayna told the Daily Mirror: “All any parent wants is for their child’s dreams to come true, and the Prince and Princess of Wales were a big part in making that happen.
“Liz’s final two months with us were the happiest that we have ever seen her, and a lot of that was down to their kindness – we truly can’t thank them enough.”
The 17-year-old from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, was invited to Windsor Castle for a private meeting with the Prince and Princess of Wales after photographing an investiture in October.
“Before that day at Windsor Castle Liz had had some opportunities, but the meeting really brought her into the public eye and allowed her dreams to become reality,” Ms Robayna said.
Liz had been battling desmoplastic small round cell tumour, a rare and aggressive form of cancer with no standard treatment path.
Her mother said: “Liz was still independent and loving life until the very end, which is exactly how she would have chosen it to be.
“We could not have asked for it to have been a better way for Liz.”
Liz began her photography bucket list appeal in January after being given between six months and three years to live.
In her final months, she achieved most of her dreams, including photographing a West End show and hosting a photo shoot with professional models.
She also fulfilled her wishes of having her own photography exhibition and meeting leaders in her field.
Speaking to The Telegraph about her bucket list journey, Liz had said: “I want my siblings in particular to know that there’s always a bright side, you don’t have to sit and be miserable.
“Because I don’t want the people I love to sit and be miserable when I’m gone, I want them to look on the bright side and still be able to smile in darkness.”
LATEST ROYAL NEWS:
- Prince Louis, Princess Charlotte and Prince George ‘so happy’ to step out with Kate after hard year
- Prince Harry suffers fresh blow as Duke of Sussex sets unwanted record
- Princess Kate receives special gesture from King Charles amid monarch missing her Christmas event
Following Liz’s passing, the Prince and Princess of Wales shared a heartfelt tribute on social media last month, signed “W&C”.
They wrote: “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.”
The royal couple extended their sympathies to Liz’s family, adding: “Our thoughts and prayers are with Liz’s parents Vicky and Aaron and her brother Mateo at this unimaginably difficult time.”