The young woman who shared a bond with Princess Kate has shared a heartbreaking cancer update.
The family of terminally ill photographer Liz Hatton, 17, will celebrate Christmas early this weekend as her health continues to decline following a series of remarkable achievements.
The teenager from Harrogate, Yorkshire, who has been living with a rare and aggressive form of cancer, recently hosted a photography exhibition in London.
Her mother, Vicky Robayna, announced the family’s decision to mark Christmas ahead of time, explaining that “we know our time is short now.”
Young woman who shared bond with Princess Kate shares heartbreaking cancer update
Instagram / Prince and Princess of Wales
The early festivities come just weeks after Hatton’s memorable meeting with the Princess of Wales at Windsor Castle, where the pair bonded over their shared passion for photography.
Hatton’s recent exhibition marked a triumphant milestone in her journey, showcasing her photographic talents despite her challenging circumstances.
Last month, she made headlines after receiving a special invitation to photograph an investiture at Windsor Castle, where she met the Prince and Princess of Wales.
The meeting proved particularly significant as it marked the first time Princess Kate had been pictured since her chemotherapy had ended.
Liz Hatton and Princess Kate met at Windsor Castle in October
Instagram / Prince and Princess of Wales
“Of course, I didn’t expect anything like this to happen – I didn’t even expect to be able to fulfil any of my original bucket list – never mind additions like this that were so far beyond our wildest imagination,” Hatton told The Mail.
The teenager spent around half an hour chatting with William and Kate, discussing their shared love of photography.
Following the meeting, Kensington Palace shared: “A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today. A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both.”
In an emotional social media post, Robayna shared that Hatton has become “increasingly tired” since her exhibition last week.
“As I walked around looking at her pictures, thinking about the circumstances many were taken under, I was more in awe of her than ever,” she wrote on social media.
The family’s decision to celebrate Christmas early stems from Hatton’s declining health.
“At the end of this week, we will celebrate Christmas early as a family. We know our time is short now,” Robayna explained.
She expressed gratitude to supporters, writing: “To all of you who have supported her work and cheered for her on from afar, please know how much you mean to us.”
Princess Kate announced in September she had finished her chemotherapy treatment
PA
“She has lived a wonderful life and that is in no small part down to you. Thank you,” she concluded.
Hatton was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumours (DSRCT), a rare cancer affecting the soft tissues of the abdomen and pelvis, in January.
The decision to celebrate Christmas early comes from her little brother Matteo’s wish to mark the occasion with his mother, father Aaron, and sister while they still can.
Speaking about her diagnosis, Hatton told Good Morning Britain: “We just have to try to remain positive because what’s the point in wasting what little time I have left.”
She added: “I chose to stop my chemo and just live my life at home and just deal with whatever comes.”
