Latest Update: Princess Kate and William sent emotional personal thank you message from Liz Hatton’s parents….Read More

The mum of teenage cancer patient Liz Hatton who died earlier this week says the 17-year-old’s last two months “were the brightest of her life.”

The Prince and Princess of Wales, who met with Liz in October when she was invited to take pictures of the Prince of Wales, described the teenager as “brave and humble” in an emotional tribute.

Liz’s mum wrote on X: “Thank you, we are so very grateful to you both and all of your team for the kindness you have shown us all and the opportunities you made possible for Liz.

Her last two months were the brightest of her life.”

You introduced the world to her work,” she added.

“We will always be immensely grateful to you for that xx.”

Liz Hatton passed away aged just 17, after being diagnosed with an aggressive desmoplastic small round cell tumour in January and given six months to three years to live.

Her mother paid tribute to her “incredible” daughter highlighting her “kindness, empathy and courage”.

Her statement read: “Our incredible daughter Liz died in the early hours of this morning.

“She remained determined to the last. Even yesterday she was still making plans. We are so very proud of the kindness, empathy and courage she has shown in the last year.

“She was not only a phenomenal photographer, she was the best human, and the most wonderful daughter and big sister we could ever have asked for. No one could have fought harder for life than she did.

“There is a gaping Liz shaped hole in our lives that I am not sure how we will ever fill. We have so much gratitude to every single one of you, whether you offered to help, or liked or shared posts – you ensured Liz’s last two months were her very best. She flew high until the end.”

Prince William and Kate, who herself was treated for cancer this year, said in a personal message earlier in the autumn that Liz was a “talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both”.

The Prince and Princess of Wales wrote that their “thoughts and prayers are with Liz’s parents Vicky and Aaron and her brother Mateo at this unimaginably difficult time.”

Liz’s mum asked people to share one of her daughters photos in tribute, under the hashtag #LizHatton, and also to support the family’s mission to fund research into Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour, which has no charity specialising in the disease in the UK.

Vicky has set up a fundraising page at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/vicky-robayna with a goal of raising £100,000.