Liz Hatton, 17, who lost her 10-month cancer battle last week, touched hearts when she was pictured with Kate, the Princess of Wales, at Windsor Castle in October

A talented photographer who ended up shooting celebrities and models after sharing a hug with the Princess of Wales loved life until the end, her mum says.

Liz Hatton, 17, who lost a 10-month cancer battle last week, touched hearts when she was pictured with Kate at Windsor Castle in October.

The meeting led to a string of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for Liz, including snapping celebs on the red carpet at the Royal Variety Show and joining acclaimed photographer Rankin to lead a fashion shoot.

The Prince and Princess of Wales meeting young photographer Liz Hatton and family at Windsor Castle ( 
Image:
Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
Speaking publicly for the first time since losing her girl, Victoria Robayna, 43, said “Liz was still independent and loving life until the very end, which is exactly how she would have chosen it to be. We could not have asked for it to have been a better way for Liz.”

The family met the Prince and Princess of Wales when Liz was invited to Windsor to take pictures at an investiture ceremony William was holding.

Victoria said: “All any parent wants is for their child’s dreams to come true, and the Prince and Princess of Wales were a big part in making that happen.”

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Image:
Getty Images)
She added: “Liz’s final two months with us were the happiest we have ever seen her, and a lot of that was down to their kindness – we truly can’t thank them enough.

“Before that day at Windsor Castle Liz had had some opportunities, but the meeting really brought her into the public eye and allowed her dreams to become reality.”

Liz’s life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with a rare Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour and told she had six months to three years to live.

But she was determined not to let it get in the way of pursuing her dream of becoming a photographer.

Instead of worrying about the future, Liz drew up a bucket list and set about making it happen.

Liz’s eight-year-old brother Mateo

Liz Hatton smiles at her exhibition ( 
Image:
Getty Images)Word reached William about her plans and she was invited to shoot the investiture. Much to her surprise, she was asked to join the royal couple for tea along with mum Victoria, stepdad Aaron and brother Mateo.

Liz was pictured hugging Kate, weeks after the Princess revealed she had completed her own chemotherapy. The pair chatted about their shared love of photography.

Victoria said: “Liz and Kate talked about their favourite photographers, cameras, things they like to photograph and how helpful photography can be as a way of escaping real life. She showed Kate her camera and they were both just enjoying talking about something they love and share a passion for.

“Liz loved how normal she and William were – there was no pretence or artifice, she instantly clicked with them and they with her. We couldn’t ask for them to have been any kinder or any more wonderful at any point.”

Liz was terrified of leaving her brother behind
Victoria, of Harrogate, North Yorks, also revealed a touching conversation between the royal couple and Liz’s little brother Mateo, eight.

She said: “When we met the Prince and Princess, talking to new people was something Liz’s eight-year-old brother Mateo struggled to do.

“They really went out of their way to include Mateo and made him feel every bit as important as she was, and by the end he was busy chatting to them about his Jellycat chip teddy – that meant everything to Liz.

Liz with family
“Liz was not scared of dying but was terrified of leaving her brother behind, so she wanted to make memories with him that he would have for the rest of his life. The Prince and Princess made that possible.”

The meeting at Windsor meant Liz – who began taking photos in year six at primary school – became an overnight sensation. She went on to photograph comedian Michael McIntyre, circus performers, the Royal Ballet and Storm Agency models.

The inspiring teen also spent two days with Los Angeles-based portrait photographer David Suh, who flew from the US to work with her.

Her project culminated in her own photography exhibition in London, which was attended by palace staff.Just six days later, Liz passed away – just 10 months after her diagnosis.

Liz Hatton in action with her camera
Despite her agony, Victoria is trying to hold on to the special final evening spent with her girl. She said: “Liz went to watch her brother swim in his first session at a local swimming squad, to make sure he settled in.

“She was so proud – he was absolutely buzzing about how much he’d enjoyed it and she was absolutely buzzing because he’d loved it. We then had a chilled evening at home.

“Liz and Aaron sat on her bed watching Heartstopper, a series she loved – and I was on the floor wrapping Christmas presents.

“Before bed, we told her we loved her and she went to sleep.”

Liz’s dying wish was for DSRCT treatments to improve, so she decided to donate her body to the University of Glasgow’s medical department. Saying goodbye was a bittersweet moment for Victoria. “It gives us all comfort to know she is doing good and she is still somehow here, but equally hard that she is not here with us,” she said.

Liz photographed at the BFI IMAX Waterloo ( 
Image:
WireImage)
“We talk about her being away at university, because she would have gone to university at the end of this year anyway – so she has gone away to do good for three years, and then she will come back to us.”

Liz left strict instructions to be cremated because she hates worms and insects, and for her ashes to be made into a Jellycat toy. Victoria explained: “It means we can still give her hugs. She was certain it wouldn’t be one of her Jellycats because she wouldn’t want them to suffer, so it had to be a new one. Mateo will choose it.”

The family has started a fundraiser to pay for research into treatment for DSRCT – which affects just 12 people in the UK each year. Victoria added: “We’re determined to do her proud.”