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The teenager who inspired Kate has died of cancer

Posted on by Gerres
The teenager who inspired Kate has died of cancer

A close-up of the smiling Princess of Wales hugging Liz Hatton.

The Princess of Wales hugs Liz Hatton at Windsor Castle in October (Kensington Palace/Andrew Parsons)

The teenage photographer who inspired Catherine, Princess of Wales has died after pursuing her photography bucket list while facing a rare form of cancer.

Liz Hatton, 17, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, died in the early hours of Wednesday morning, her mother Vicky Robayna said on social media.

On X, formerly Twitter, Robayna said Liz “remained determined to the end” and continued to make plans for the future on Tuesday.

“We are so proud of the kindness, empathy and courage she showed last year,” she wrote.

Liz attends an exhibition of her work. She has short blonde hair and wears a dark green sweater with a bag slung over her right shoulder. When he looks off camera, he covers his mouth with his right hand.Liz attends an exhibition of her work. She has short blonde hair and wears a dark green sweater with a bag slung over her right shoulder. When he looks off camera, he covers his mouth with his right hand.

Liz at an exhibition of her work organized by British Land and Getty Images at 2 Kingdom Street, Paddington Central, last week (Getty Images)

Liz launched her photography wishlist appeal in January after she was diagnosed with aggressive desmoplastic small round cell tumor and given six months to three years to live.

Was in the photo hugged by Catherine at Windsor Castle in October after being invited to take photos of the Prince of Wales during his investiture.

Catherine, who was undergoing cancer treatment herself earlier this year, and William, in a personal message, described Liz as “a talented young photographer whose creativity and strength have inspired us both.”

Liz Hatton pictured with the Prince and Princess of Wales. The princess, who smiles at the camera, is wearing a burgundy jacket and a beige top. She stands next to Mrs. Hatton, who is wearing a light green sweater and necklace. Her hands rest on the shoulders of the young blond man standing in front of her, dressed in a dark suit and red tie.Liz Hatton pictured with the Prince and Princess of Wales. The princess, who smiles at the camera, is wearing a burgundy jacket and a beige top. She stands next to Mrs. Hatton, who is wearing a light green sweater and necklace. Her hands rest on the shoulders of the young blond man standing in front of her, dressed in a dark suit and red tie.

Liz and her family met the Prince and Princess of Wales for a private meeting (Kensington Palace)

Ms. Robayna told

“No one could have fought for life harder than she did,” she said.

“There’s a big Liz-shaped hole in our lives that I’m not sure how we’ll ever fill.”

Ms Robayna thanked those who helped the teenager fulfill her dreams in the last months of her life, as well as those who liked and supported her work, adding: “You assured Liz that the last two months were the best for her. She was flying high until the very end.”

As a tribute, she asked people to share one of Liz’s photos and also support the family’s mission to fund research into desmoplastic small round cell carcinoma, which has no charity specializing in the disease in the UK.

Liz took up photography in Year 6 after saving up to buy her first camera.

She achieved the highest possible grade in the subject at GCSE and then went on to study A levels at Harrogate Grammar School.

Liz Hatton stands in the middle, with her arms around a young blond man who is wearing a white shirt and a gray bow. Liz is standing next to a blonde woman who is wearing a dark green blouse. On her left is a bald man in a navy blue sweater with his hand in his pocket.Liz Hatton stands in the middle, with her arms around a young blond man who is wearing a white shirt and a gray bow. Liz is standing next to a blonde woman who is wearing a dark green blouse. On her left is a bald man in a navy blue sweater with his hand in his pocket.

Liz Hatton’s family attended her exhibition last week (Getty Images)

She previously told BBC Radio York: ‘It’s always been a hobby of mine.

“I like portraits and I like looking at the emotions people experience and being able to capture them in one photo and freeze that moment.

“I think it’s really magical.”

Just weeks before Liz died, she did just that she collaborated with one of her photographic heroesRankin, at a photo shoot with professional models.

After the shoot, model Fifi Anicah said the photos the teenager took were among her “favorite photos of all time.”

As part of her wish list, Liz also photographed comedian Michael McIntyre, circus performers, the Royal Ballet, Storm Model Agency models, London Air Ambulances from the helipad, hotel doormen and the red carpet at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Just last week she took part in an exhibition of her work organized by British Land and Getty Images in London.

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An overall view of the Liz Hatton photography exhibition. Several of her photographs of models were displayed on wooden easels arranged in two rows. A decorated and lit Christmas tree appears to be placed in the left corner of the room, and a man is looking at some work on the right.An overall view of the Liz Hatton photography exhibition. Several of her photographs of models were displayed on wooden easels arranged in two rows. A decorated and lit Christmas tree appears to be placed in the left corner of the room, and a man is looking at some work on the right.

A selection of Liz’s photographs from the exhibition (Getty Images)

Two photos of Liz. One shows a smiling woman with long blonde hair, her chin resting on the back of her left hand, smiling broadly at the camera. The second photo shows the same woman hugging another woman from behind. The second woman has long dark hair, wears light-rimmed glasses, a floral blouse and jeans. They both smile at the camera.Two photos of Liz. One shows a smiling woman with long blonde hair, her chin resting on the back of her left hand, smiling broadly at the camera. The second photo shows the same woman hugging another woman from behind. The second woman has long dark hair, wears light-rimmed glasses, a floral blouse and jeans. They both smile at the camera.

More of Liz’s portraits on display (Getty Images)

Liz Hatton in the middle of a group of photographers, wearing a white T-shirt and a camera around her neck. There are four photographers standing behind her, three of them looking through their cameras. Liz Hatton in the middle of a group of photographers, wearing a white T-shirt and a camera around her neck. There are four photographers standing behind her, three of them looking through their cameras.

Liz and other press photographers attended the UK premiere of Venom: The Last Dance in London last month (Getty Images)

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