Princess Catherine’s Silent Promise Fulfilled: On What Would Have Been a Teen’s 18th Birthday, the Princess of Wales Granted a Family’s Wish With a Deeper Message Than Anyone Expected
Kate Middleton is honoring one special teenage photographer on what would have been her 18th birthday.
The Princess of Wales, 43, paid tribute to the late Liz Hatton, who died of cancer at age 17 in November 2024, with a touching post on her joint social media accounts with husband Prince William on Aug. 31.
The couple shared a photo of a photograph on display on an easel at Windsor Castle in England, alongside a caption explaining its significance.
“Remembering Liz Hatton today on what would have been her 18th birthday. The photo shown in this image was taken by Liz during an Investiture at Windsor Castle in October 2024, and is on display today in the spot where it was taken,” they wrote.
The photograph – of a yeoman guard at Windsor Castle – was shot by Liz as one of the “bucket list” assignments she vowed to complete in the last months of her life.
The post was shared on Liz’s Instagram Stories, with a caption thanking William, 43, and Kate.
An emotional tribute to Liz was also posted on the late teen’s Instagram feed.
“Tomorrow should have been Liz’s 18th Birthday. I wonder if she had been writing this post what she would have written. I suspect something on the lines of ‘Here’s to a lifetime of taking photos,’ ” the caption read.
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Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
Last month, Liz’s mother, Vicky Robayna, opened up to PEOPLE about their birthday wish to honor Liz, inviting people from around the world to display the teen’s images.
“We just want as many people as possible to see her work,” Vicky told PEOPLE at the time. “If anyone would like one to put up prominently, we’re up to helping with that. People can also share them on their social media.”
Liz, who had been diagnosed with a rare sarcoma, desmoplastic small round cell tumor, captured the hearts of William and Kate who heard of her desire to undertake exciting photographic assignments in the last months of her life. Hearing of her story, they invited her to take pictures of an investiture at Windsor Castle — and she and her family got to meet the royals in a surprise tea party afterward.
Back in March, Kate and William shared an inspiring tribute to Hatton on International Women’s Day to celebrate “the strength and creativity of Liz and [her mother] Vicky Hatton.”
“It was an honor meeting them both in Windsor in October,” the couple wrote in the caption.
The post also remembered Hatton for her “unwavering resilience.”
