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— (Full Details Below👇)

NEED TO KNOW

  • Kate Middleton paid tribute to a teenage photographer, who died of cancer, on what would have been her 18th birthday on Aug. 31
  • Liz Hatton died at age 17 in November 2024 after being diagnosed with an aggressive desmoplastic small round cell tumor
  • Kate and her husband Prince William honored the wishes of Liz’s family, who asked that others display her “bucket list” photographs in prominent places

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.02/10/2024, London, UK. The Prince and Princess of Wales meeting young photographer Liz Hatton and family at Windsor Castle.02/10/2024, London, UK. The Prince and Princess of Wales meeting young photographer Liz Hatton and family at Windsor Castle.

The Prince and Princess of Wales meet photographer Liz Hatton (center) and her family at Windsor Castle in October 2024.
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.

Related Stories

 

Kate Middleton Interrupts Her Summer Break with Personal Message
Catherine, Princess of Wales attends day thirteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2025 in London, England.Catherine, Princess of Wales attends day thirteen of the Wimbledon Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club at All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 12, 2025 in London, England.
Kate Middleton’s ‘Amazing’ Parenting Move with George, Charlotte and Louis Revealed in Rare Comment from Fellow School Mom
Prince George of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales watch the fly-past on the balcony of Buckingham Palace whilst watching a fly-past during the military procession to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 05, 2025 in London, EnglandPrince George of Wales, Prince Louis of Wales, Catherine, Princess of Wales and Princess Charlotte of Wales watch the fly-past on the balcony of Buckingham Palace whilst watching a fly-past during the military procession to mark the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 05, 2025 in London, England

The tribute was shared alongside a previous social media post, which featured a photo of Kate embracing Hatton when the pair first met at Windsor Castle last year, as well as another of Kate and William posing with the teen and her family.

Hatton died last year after being diagnosed with an aggressive desmoplastic small round cell tumor, her mother previously announced on Instagram.

After Hatton’s death, the Prince and Princess of Wales wrote in a statement, “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.”

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Liz’s parents Vicky and Aaron and her brother Mateo at this unimaginably difficult time,” they added.

The tribute to Liz came on a particularly poignant day for William, whose mother, Princess Diana, died on the same date in 1997.

And, of course, Princess Kate has experienced her own cancer battle, first sharing the news of her medical struggles in March 2024. In early 2025, Kate announced that her cancer is in remission and she has slowly returned to public appearances and royal duties.

kk

Related Posts

Prince William and Duchess Kate held an outdoor BBQ party in the garden of the British royal castle. Then they danced together in an area with flowers arranged in the shape of a heart. But what happened next brought tears to the eyes of the people in the palace because of the future king’s love for his wife.

Prince William and Princess Kate Host a Heartfelt Garden BBQ That Leaves the Palace in Tears On a crisp summer afternoon, the gardens of Windsor Castle transformed…

Royal Sh0ck: King Charles Offers Rare Health Update at Hospital, But It’s His Surprising Task for Princess Catherine That Sparks the Most Questions

The King delivered a message of hope to a cancer patient and gave an update about his own health while visiting a hospital today. Charles returned to…

‘For You, My Brave Hero…’ Princess Charlotte Whispered Through Her Music, And In That Instant, Windsor Fell Silent. There Were No Cameras, No Crowds, No Royal Protocol—Just A Nine-Year-Old With A Ukulele, Her Tiny Fingers Strumming ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow,’ And A Love So Pure It Cut Straight To King Charles’ Heart. Sitting Quietly Amid Long Afternoons Of Reflection And Recovery, He Listened, Glassy-Eyed, As Charlotte’s Soft, Trembling Voice Filled The Private Garden. At The Final Note, She Placed Her Ukulele Beside Him And Handed Over A Folded Note: ‘Your Strength Lights Our Skies. Love, Charlotte.’ He Pressed It To His Chest, Whispering Through Tears, ‘That’s My Brave Girl.’ Witnesses Say The Moment Was Raw, Human, And Eternally Moving—A Reminder That Love, In Its Purest Form, Can Be More Powerful Than Any Crown, More Enduring Than Any Legacy. Watch The Heart-Melting Royal Serenade That Left A King Crying And The Garden Holding Its Breath

‘She thought she was singing alone… but when Charlotte’s voice echoed through the garden, the King looked up with tears in his eyes’ In the quiet of…

😱👑 ROYAL SHOCK MOVE: Under crystal chandeliers, Catherine’s quiet power play lit up the palace — and left Camilla visibly shaken.

Royal Tiara Tension: Queen Camilla’s Icy Glare as Princess Catherine Dons Her Signature Crown It happened beneath crystal chandeliers, at a banquet meant to symbolize unity —…

🌹🕯 “I must do this for my mother… for the Queen of all people.” — Prince William’s Secret Dawn Tribute to Diana Shakes the Palace 🌹🕯️

“I Must Do This for My Mother” — Prince William Defies the Crown in a Secret Candlelit Tribute to Diana A midnight vigil. A son’s tears. A…

7 MINUTES AGO: King Charles & Princess Anne Sign NEW ROYAL DECREE To Oust Queen Camilla, Elevating Catherine to Power Frontline

A Shift in the House of Windsor Buckingham Palace has unveiled a new decree, signed by King Charles and Princess Anne, marking a significant realignment in the…

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *