The Princess of Wales‘ most recent engagement took on a new significance in light of her statement announcing she had completed chemotherapy treatment for cancer in September.

Kate’s return to work earlier this week has underscored her commitment to standing ‘side by side’ with other cancer patients and survivors, including 16-year-old Liz Hatton, an aspiring photographer who is battling terminal cancer.

Liz, who travelled to Windsor Castle on Prince William‘s invitation, was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumours – an extremely rare and aggressive tumour – in January, according to a Sky News report. Her mother Vicky Roboyna said Liz has between six months and three years to live in June.

On Wednesday, October 2, Kensington Palace released the first photograph of Kate since she confirmed she’s completed chemotherapy, and the picture showed her embracing Liz during a private meeting.

It was an incredibly significant moment that echoed Kates’ words in her moving video released last month: ‘I am with you.’

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The Princess of Wales met 16-year-old cancer patient Liz Hatton at Windsor Castle on October 2, greeting the teenager with a big smile and warm hug

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The private meeting came less than a month after Kate, 42, confirmed she was cancer-free in a moving video featuring Prince William and their three children

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The Prince and Princess of Wales spent time with Liz Hatton (centre), who was diagnosed with an extremely rare form of cancer, and her family including younger brother Matteo, mother Vicky Roboyna, and stepfather Aaron

Dressed in a burgundy suit, beige jumper and gold earrings, Kate greeted Liz with a big smile and warm hug, before hearing about her day and cancer journey.

Liz’s trip to Windsor Castle was organised after she posted a ‘bucket list’ of all the things she wanted to photograph during her lifetime, including a music festival, fashion shoot, and the rehearsal of a musical.

A spokesperson for the royal family said Prince William found out about Liz through the London Air Ambulance Charity of which he is a patron and extended a personal invitation to join him at an investiture.

The teen from Harrogate photographed William handing out honours to Mark Cavendish, Waynes Barnes, and Alistair McCoist.

After the ceremony, she was invited to meet with William and Kate in what became an especially poignant moment.

Liz was accompanied by Vicky, her stepfather Aaron and brother Mateo.

The prince and princess later thanked Liz for ‘sharing your photos and story with us’ in a message posted on X, which was accompanied by photographs from her emotional meeting with Kate.

Liz also marked the occasion with a post online, which read: ‘Such lovely, genuine and kind people. I’m over the moon that my family had this experience.’

Kate, 42, confirmed she would be stepping back from her official duties in March after she was diagnosed with cancer following a planned abdominal surgery in January.

Explaining that she was undergoing ‘preventative chemotherapy’, the mother-of-three asked for ‘time, space and privacy while I complete my treatment’ in an emotional video message.

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Kate reflected on her cancer journey in an emotional video message that was released by Kensington Palace on September 9

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The princess said her health battle reminded ‘William and me’ to be grateful for the ‘simple yet important things’ in the poignant statement

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Their children, Prince Louis, six (left), Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince George, 11, also appeared in the video

Princess Kate mirrors the late Queen driving in candid recovery video

Much to the relief of royal fans, Kate shared that she was cancer-free in a moving video featuring Prince William and their children, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.

Kate added that she was ‘looking forward to being back at work’ and undertaking more public engagements in the months to come, before addressing those who ‘are continuing their own cancer journey.’

Delivering a message of hope and solidarity, the princess said, ‘I remain with you, side by side, hand in hand. Out of darkness, can come light, so let that light shine bright.’

As she hugged Liz at Windsor Castle, she ensured commitment to her promise.

Kate’s gentle return to public life

Confirming chemotherapy was behind her, Kate also briefly laid out plans for a gradual and measured comeback to public life after her nine-month health ordeal.

‘Despite all that has gone before, I enter this new phase of recovery with a renewed sense of hope and appreciation of life,’ she said, adding that she will be ‘undertaking a few more’ engagements over the coming months.

Since then, the princess has made a handful of public appearances, including attending a performance of Akram Khan’s Giselle at Sadler’s Wells theatre in London.

Taking to X to share a photo of the performance, Kate wrote: ‘Congratulations and thank you to [English National Ballet] and [Sadler’s Wells’ for the wonderfully powerful, moving and inspiring performance of Akram Khan’s Giselle.

‘Creativity at its best!’

It would appear that Kate is prioritising her family, as well as the causes and events closest to her heart, while navigating her recovery.

The Mail recently revealed that she and Prince William enjoyed some time together during a private trip to Balmoral, while their children remained in Berkshire.

Their getaway came less than a week after Kate hosted her first work meeting in over nine months.

On September 17, the royal held a meeting at Windsor Castle with those involved in her ‘Early Years’ project, which focuses on the crucial role the first few years of a person’s life plays in the adults they become.

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Kate and Princess Charlotte met ground staff on day 14 of the 2024 Wimbledon Championships in London, ahead of Kate presenting the trophy to the winner of the men’s final

Mother and daughter’s day out: Kate and Charlotte at Wimbledon

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Princess Kate received a standing ovation at the 2024 Wimbledon men’s finals, where she presented Carlos Alcarazy with the winner’s trophy

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The Princess of Wales made a brief public appearance on the balcony of Buckingham Palace. alongside William and their children, during the flypast following the Trooping the Colour ceremony

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Catherine, Princess of Wales and Prince William, Prince of Wales attended the Christmas Day service at St Mary Magdalene Church on December 25, 2023, along with Louis, George,and Charlotte

Kate’s ace! Princess of Wales arrives at Wimbledon with Charlotte

It was formally logged in the Court Circular, the official record of royal engagements, which read: ‘The Princess of Wales, Joint Patron, The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, this afternoon held an Early Years Meeting at Windsor.’

It comes as no surprise that Kate’s first major work engagement pertained to the ‘Early Years’ project, considering its mission is extremely important to the princess.

Her Centre for Early Childhood raises awareness about how formative experiences between the ages of birth to five can significantly shape a person’s life.

While Kate has made brief public appearances since her cancer diagnosis, including attending the men’s Wimbledon finals and the Trooping the Colour, the ‘Early Years’ meeting marked a significant step forward in Kate’s recovery journey.

It was the first meeting noted in the Court Circular since Kate presided over a round table of her Royal Foundation on December 6 last year.

She hosted her annual carol service tow days later and attended the royal family’s Christmas celebrations at Sandringham, before she was secretly admitted to The London Clinic for abdominal surgery on January 16.

At the time, Kensington Palace announced that Kate was likely to spend a couple of weeks in hospital to recover from the planned surgery, adding she was ‘doing well’ in the aftermath of the operation.

She was discharged from The London Clinic on January 29, days before Buckingham Palace announced King Charles had been diagnosed with cancer during an unrelated procedure for an enlarged prostate.

Over one month later, amid heightened speculation over Kate’s well-being, the princess issued a statement about her cancer diagnosis on March 22.

‘It has taken us time to explain everything to George, Charlotte and Louis in a way that is appropriate for them, and to reassure them that I am going to be OK,’ Kate said in a video that was posted on Kensington Palace’s social media channels.