In an emotional scene, the Princess of Wales hugged budding photographer Liz Hatton, 16, who is bravely battling a rare and aggressive tumour, at Windsor Castle

The Princess of Wales hugged a young fellow cancer sufferer after she was invited to Windsor Castle to take pictures with Prince William.

In an emotional scene, budding photographer Liz Hatton, 16, who is bravely battling a rare and aggressive tumour, was asked by the Prince of Wales to join him at an investiture he was holding to capture participants including legendary cyclist Sir Mark Cavendish, former rugby referee Waynes Barnes and Scottish footballing legend Ali McCoist. Liz, from Harrogate in Yorkshire, has set herself a challenge to take part in as many photography experiences as possible and received a personal invitation from the future King after he found out about her through the London Air Ambulance Charity, of which he is patron.

The Princess of Wales announced last month that she had completed her chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with cancer in February. In a personal message on social media, William and Kate said on Wednesday night: “A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today.

The Prince of Wales held an investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle
“A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both. Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us. W&C.” Liz described being “over the moon” after meeting the prince and princess at the castle.

“Such lovely, genuine and kind people, I’m over the moon that my family and I had this experience,” she wrote on social media. Despite the meeting with Liz taking place in a private capacity after the investiture, it is the first time the princess has been seen in an official capacity since she announces she would slowly return to duties after nine months away to concentrate on her recovery.

In an emotional audio statement over an intimate video of the princess with husband Prince William and their three children in the Norfolk countryside, the future queen said she was looking forward to returning to duties but admitted “my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes”. Kate, who is expected to appear with other senior royals at the Remembrance Day services at the Cenotaph next month in what could be her first official engagement back, wore her hair down with gold earrings, with a dressed in a burgundy trouser suit and beige top and was pictured embracing Liz.

The prince and princess also posed for a group shot with Liz’s family, her mother Vicky, stepfather Aaron and brother Mateo. The teenager began a photography bucket list appeal after being diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumour in January.

Her mum, Vicky Roboyna, said in June doctors have told her daughter she has between six months and three years to live. Liz was invited by the prince to take photos of investiture recipients receiving their honours from William and learn about pictures taken throughout the day.

Some of her images were shared on Kensington Palace’s social media including photos of cyclist Sir Mark Cavendish with the prince, and footballer Karen Carney. Kensington Palace said William found out about Liz through the London Air Ambulance Charity of which he is patron. “Following the investiture both the Prince and Princess of Wales met Liz privately with her family to hear about her day and journey,” a Palace spokesperson said.