Kate Middleton made a surprise appearance at Windsor Castle today for a special reason: She was there to meet a young teenager battling cancer.
Liz Hatton, 16, is a budding photographer from Harrogate. She was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumour in January, and is currently battling the rare and aggressive form of cancer. Her mom told the BBC that doctors have told Liz she has between six months and three years to live.
The Prince and Princess of Wales welcomed Liz and her family to Windsor Castle today, after Prince William invited Liz to take photos of the investiture held there.
"A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today. A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both. Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us," they posted on social media after, in a personal note signed W&C for William and Catherine. Liz reposted the photos on her Instagram, and wrote, "such lovely, genuine and kind people, I'm over the moon that my family and I had this experience."
Last month, Kate shared an update on her cancer journey, revealing she had finished chemotherapy in a three-minute long video filmed in Norfolk in August.
"The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family. Life as you know it can change in an instant and we have had to find a way to navigate the stormy waters and road unknown," the Princess of Wales said. "The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you."
She added, "Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus. Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes. I am however looking forward to being back at work and undertaking a few more public engagements in the coming months when I can."
Kensington Palace hasn't put a date on Kate's return to royal duties, but have confirmed two engagements for her for the rest of 2024: Remembrance Sunday in November, and her Christmas Carol service in December.
Emily Burack (she/her) is the Senior News Editor for Town & Country, where she covers entertainment, celebrities, the royals, and a wide range of other topics. Before joining T&C, she was the deputy managing editor at Hey Alma, a Jewish culture site. Follow her @emburack on Twitter and Instagram.
