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The Princess of Wales has paid heartfelt tribute to the aspiring photographer with a rare form of cancer she hugged earlier this year, following news of the 17-year-old’s death.
Liz Hatton made headlines after she was pictured with Kate at Windsor Castle in October after being invited to take pictures of William at an investiture.
The teenager died on Wednesday, after having been diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer at the start of the year.
After the news of her death, William and Kate, who herself was treated for cancer this year, said in a personal message shared on social media: “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.”
The message was signed “W & C”.
Liz’s mother Vicky Robayna praised her “incredible daughter”, saying “she flew high until the end” as she announced her death on X.
Cyclist Chris Boardman to receive royal honour at Buckingham Palace
Olympic cyclist Chris Boardman is among a host of people set to be honoured by the Princess Royal at Buckingham Palace today.
Boardman, who was appointed as Active Travel England (ATE) commissioner in June 2022, will be presented with his CBE award for services to active travel at a ceremony on Thursday.
Several former Conservative ministers will be also honoured at the palace, including former Secretary of State for Scotland Sir Alister Jack, Sir Ben Wallace and Sir Liam Fox.
The Olympic medallist is responsible for the Government’s agency for making walking, wheeling and cycling people’s preferred choice for transport in England.
Boardman, who won gold in the men’s individual pursuit cycling at the 1992 Olympics, is also the chair of Sport England and a broadcaster for BBC and ITV.
Chris Boardman is chair of Sport England and National Active Travel Commissioner (Matt Alexander/PA) (PA Wire)
Athena Stavrou28 November 2024 08:43
Multi-million pound cost of King Charles’ coronation revealed
The cost of King Charles’ coronation has been revealed, with government accounts showing that £72 million in taxpayer money was spent on the event.
An annual report from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) shows that it spent £50.3 million on the coronation. This was alongside the £21.7 million in policing costs for the royal event.
The coronation took place on 6 May 2023, marking the crowning of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. Around 18 million viewers tuned in to watch the ceremony on the BBC – fewer than the 28 million that watched Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral.
Duchess of Sussex gushes over the holiday season, despite keeping this year’s festivities ‘pretty low-key’
Holly Evans28 November 2024 07:00
Prince Harry’s latest High Court claim could go to trial, judge says
Prince Harry’s latest legal claim against the publishers of the Daily Mail could go to trial, a High Court judge has said.
The Duke of Sussex has accused the publisher of allegedly commissioning unlawful activities, including hiring private investigators to place listening devices inside cars, recording private phone conversations “blagging” private records, and even burglaries to order.
At a preliminary hearing on Tuesday High Court judge Mr Justice Nicklin said that it was important to progress the case to an eventual trial.
The Prince of Wales tried flying a drone as he participated in an army training session with the Welsh Guards. William became colonel of the regiment last year and joined soldiers from its 1st Battalion practising live firing on Salisbury Plain on Tuesday (26 November). Drones have become a significant military weapon on the battlefield in the war in Ukraine, used extensively by both sides in the conflict. The prince appeared to enjoy flying the aircraft and one of the regiment’s senior drone operators said afterwards that each one cost £7,000. William wore camouflage gear and a beret for his visit to Salisbury Plain and the former Army officer also got to grips with a sniper’s rifle and fired a machine gun.
Holly Evans28 November 2024 03:00
Inside the next phase Buckingham Palace’s £369m refurbishment
The palace’s grandest rooms will undergo “phased closures” for renovation, beginning with the White Drawing Room, the Music Room, the Blue Drawing Room and the State Dining Room.
This will be followed by the Ballroom, where state banquets are held, and state rooms including the Throne Room and the Green Drawing Room.
Work will be paused during the summer months as the state rooms open to the public as usual.
Buckingham Palace’s state rooms are due to be closed for refurbishment (Nick Ansell/PA) (PA Archive)
Holly Evans28 November 2024 01:00
Teenage photographer Liz Hatton who inspired Princess Kate dies aged 17
Liz Hatton’s battle with a rare form of cancer captured the nation’s attention and led to a visit to Windsor Castle to meet the Princess of Wales
Jabed Ahmed27 November 2024 23:47
Kate invites child survivors of Southport attack to her carol concert
The Princess of Wales has invited child survivors of the Southport stabbing to her annual Christmas carol concert.
Kate, who is recovering from cancer, has invited child survivors of the attack to her festive event at Westminster Abbey on December 6, Kensington Palace has confirmed.
It comes after the princess made a surprise visit with her husband William to meet the bereaved families of the victims in Southport last month.
The royal couple met privately with the families of Bebe King, six, Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven, and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, nine, who were fatally stabbed during a Taylor Swift-themed dance class on July 29 in Southport, as well as the children’s dance teacher.
At the Southport Community Centre they met emergency responders involved in the attack and heard about their experiences.
The princess has set her sights on being able to stage the Together At Christmas service in 2024 despite the health challenges she has faced in what the Prince of Wales described as a “brutal” year.
Holly Evans27 November 2024 23:00
Highgrove decorations feature Camilla’s dog Beth and eco-friendly ornaments
The King’s country estate Highgrove has been decorated for Christmas, with a sweet nod to the Queen’s beloved dog Beth.
Among the tree ornaments is an embroidered motif of the Jack Russell, who had to be put down last weekend, leaving Camilla heartbroken.
The handmade likeness of Beth, wearing a red bandana decorated with a crown, and one of Camilla’s other terrier Bluebell, complete with a crown on the dog’s head, are new additions to the Highgrove shop this year.
Staff at Highgrove in Gloucestershire are preparing to welcome the public in the run-up to Christmas.
Holly Evans27 November 2024 21:30
Prince of Wales tries his hand at flying drone during Army visit
The Prince of Wales has spoken about the “reality” of drone warfare as he tried flying an unmanned aerial vehicle during a training session with the Welsh Guards on Tuesday.
William became colonel of the regiment last year and joined soldiers from its 1st Battalion practising live firing on Salisbury Plain.
Drones have become a significant military weapon on the battlefield in the war in Ukraine, used extensively by both sides in the conflict.
The prince appeared to enjoy flying the aircraft and one of the regiment’s senior drone operators said afterwards that each one cost £7,000.
Prince William launching a drone (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)
He said about the prince: “With the drones he was saying what’s happening is reality.”
The drone operator, who declined to give his name, added: “It’s a new bit of kit brought into a military context.
“Drones have been a thing for years but now we’re utilising them as an asset on the ground and it’s proven successful in current affairs that’s actually happening now.”
William wore camouflage gear and a beret for his visit to Salisbury Plain and the former Army officer also got to grips with a sniper’s rifle and fired a machine gun.
Holly Evans27 November 2024 20:00
Meghan Markle says ‘every year it gets better’ as she shares holiday plans with Archie and Lilibet
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