Liz Hatton, a cancer-stricken teenager from Harrogate who inspired Kate, has died

A teenage photographer who inspired Catherine, Princess of Wales, after pursuing a photography wish list despite a rare form of cancer has died.

Liz Hatton, 17, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, died in the early hours of Wednesday, her mother Vicky Robayna announced on social media.

On

“We are very proud of the kindness, compassion and courage she has shown over the last year,” she wrote.

Liz launched a photo wishlist appeal in January after she was diagnosed with an aggressive desmoplastic small round cell tumor and given a life expectancy of just six months to three years.

That was her pictured being hugged by Catherine at Windsor Castle in October after being invited to photograph the Prince of Wales at an investiture.

Catherine, who herself was treated for cancer this year, and William described Liz in a personal message as a “talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both”.

Ms. Robayna said on

“No one could have fought harder for life than she did,” she said.

“There’s a gaping Liz-shaped hole in our lives, and I don’t know how we’ll ever fill it.”

Ms Robayna thanked those who helped the teenager achieve her dreams in her final months and those who liked and supported her work, adding: “They made Liz’s last two months hers were the very best. She was on a high until the end.”

She urged people to share one of Liz’s photos as a tribute and also to support the family’s mission to fund research into desmoplastic small round cell tumors, for which there is no charity dedicated to the disease in the UK.

Liz started taking photography in sixth year after saving up to buy her first camera.

She achieved the highest possible grade in the subject at GCSE before going on to study A-levels at Harrogate Grammar School.

She previously told BBC Radio York: “It’s always been a hobby of mine.”

“I like portraits and I like looking at the emotions that people experience and capturing them in a single image and freezing that moment.”

“I actually think it’s pretty magical.”

Liz had died just a few weeks before her death collaborated with one of her photography heroesRankin, at a photo shoot with professional models.

After the shoot, model Fifi Anicah said the pictures the teenager took were some of her “favorite pictures of all time.”

On her bucket list Liz also photographed comedian Michael McIntyre, circus performers, the Royal Ballet, Storm Model Agency models, the London Air Ambulances from a helipad, hotel porters and the red carpet at the MTV Europe Music Awards.

Just last week she attended an exhibition of her work at British Land and Getty Images in London.

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