The Princess of Wales had a heartfelt meeting with the family of a teenage photographer who died from cancer during her first appearance at a royal garden party in two years. Princess Kate was joined by her husband, Prince William, and other members of the Royal Family as they welcomed thousands of guests today to the final of the King’s Garden Parties at Buckingham Palace this season. There will be another garden party at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland on July 1.
Those invited – for their contributions to society and the community – waited in the beaming sunshine to meet the royal entourage. Among those were the family of Liz Hatton, the 17-year-old photographer who died from an incurable brain tumour and was praised by the Prince and Princess of Wales as a “brave and humble young woman”.
Liz, who lost her 10-month cancer fight in November 2024, was pictured hugging Kate at Windsor Castle last October after being invited to fulfil her dream of photographing the Prince of Wales at an investiture as part of her “bucket list.”
Their hugging picture went viral, as they bonded over their mutual love of photography.
William and Kate today spent time chatting with her mother, Vicky Robayna, her stepfather, Aaron Robayna Thompson and her younger brother, Mateo, aged nine.
Mateo gave the future Queen two yellow toys in the shape of a lemon pie and a pickled onion. Liz used to give them to people who made her happy.
Kate, who was wearing a lemon-coloured dress by Emilia Wickstead and a hat by Philip Treacy, said: “They match my dress.”
The princess added that when they met last year, the popular cuddly toy brand came up in discussion
“We talked about it,” Kate told the family.
“When I see the fish and chips Jellycat, I think of her. She really made the most of everything. I loved her creativity all the way through.
Jellycat, founded in London in 1999, is known for making plush toys which retail on its website from around £12 for smaller items up to £200 for a giant toy.
William told Mateo: “You look very smart today. These [toys] are like gold dust. My children go crazy for these things. This is a children’s currency.”
Vicky and Aaron have since channelled their grief into creating Capture, a charity dedicated to supporting those with Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour, the rare cancer that claimed Liz’s life.
The charity has already funded its first research project and plans to launch its website by the end of May, with summer fundraising events including a 24-hour swim and a marathon challenge for 100 teams.
Kate told the family: “If you need any help fundraising, maybe I can help. Please stay in touch, really.”
A photo calendar featuring Liz’s work will be released on what would have been her 18th birthday.
In addition to meeting the Hatton family, Kate was also reunited with Holocaust survivor Steven Frank, whom she met at a Holocaust Memorial Day Event in 2025, and photographed in 2020 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust.
Also at today’s garden party was Tony Hudgell, the double amputee from Kent who missed the King’s garden party earlier this month due to a traffic jam.
Kate’s appearance today was not announced in advance as is the custom for garden parties.
Zara Tindall, Princess Eugenie and the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh also joined the royal couple as they stepped out to greet the guests gathered on the immaculate lawns of the Palace.
Kensington Palace said the prince and princess had specially invited the younger generation of the Royal Family to accompany them.
It’s a repeat of last year’s attendance, minus the torrential downpours, where William’s cousins rallied round the heir to the throne as he led the annual event weeks after it was revealed that his wife had started chemotherapy.
