Kate and William issue fresh statement following royals’ heartbreaking statement
Princess Kate and Prince William have issued a fresh statement to mark International Women’s Day, including a tribute to a 17-year-old amateur photographer who died last year.
The message, posted to the Prince and Princess of Wales’s official Instagram account, showcased eleven women who the royals said had inspired them in the last year.
Liz Hatton, a teenager Princess Kate met in October last year, was included in the post.
The caption read: “Celebrating the strength, resilience, and creativity of Liz and her mother, Vicky, it was an honour meeting them both at Windsor in October.
It added: “Liz’s memory lives on in Vicky’s unwavering resilience. Thank you for such a moving moment.”
The Princess of Wales met the talented teenager Liz Hatton at Windsor Castle to photograph for an investiture Prince William was holding.
Kate was pictured giving Hatton an emotional hug, with the pair focusing on their shared love of photography.
The young woman’s mum announced that the photographer had died aged 17 after an “unbelievably brave” cancer battle a month after the pair’s meeting.
Princess Kate, who has battled her own cancer journey in the last 12 months, and Prince William released a moving tribute following the news, describing the teenager as “brave and humble”.
The statement read: “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. W & C”
Other women included in the post include Claire Hopkins, Christina Handy – Rivett and Bethany Horne which William met with during royal engagements in 2024.
Young women Maci Skye and Ruby Davies were featured for their passion and commitment to their place of education.
British female NFL coach Phoebe Schecter and Centerpoint leader Ekwa Senghor were two of the women highlighted by the royals for their leadership in their fields.
The Prince and Princess of Wales praised Yvonne Probert Candice Jones, Emily Taylor and Holocaust survivor Yvonne Berstein.
Liz Hatton’s mother, Vicky set up a fundraising page with the goal of raising £100,000.
