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Teen with cancer who shared special moment with Kate dies

A teenager photographed in a touching moment with the Princess of Wales has lost her battle with cancer.

Bearded Prince William joins battalion for military exercises

A young cancer sufferer captured in a touching moment with Princess Catherine has sadly passed away aged just 17.

Liz Hatton was photographed embracing the royal at Windsor Castle in October on Kate’s first day back to work after her own cancer battle this year.

She was invited to photograph an investiture ceremony held by Prince William as part of her “photography bucket list”.

Princess Catherine with Liz Hatton at Windsor Castle in October. Picture: Instagram/ @princeandprincessofwales
Princess Catherine with Liz Hatton at Windsor Castle in October. Picture: Instagram/ @princeandprincessofwales

Hatton’s mum posted a tribute to X saying her daughter fought til the end.

“We are so very proud of the kindness, empathy and courage she has shown in the last year,” Vicky Robayna said.

“She was not only a phenomenal photographer, she was the best human, and the most wonderful daughter and big sister we could ever have asked for.

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

Prince William and Princess Catherine with Liz Hatton and her family. Picture: Instagram/ @princeandprincessofwales
Prince William and Princess Catherine with Liz Hatton and her family. Picture: Instagram/ @princeandprincessofwales

Hatton was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumour in January, and given between six months and three years to live.

William learned about her via the London Air Ambulance Charity, which he is patron of.

William and Kate are said to have privately spent time with Hatton and her loved ones after the investiture concluded.

“Such a lovely, genuine and kind people, I’m over the moon that my family and I had this experience,” Hatton wrote on her Instagram Story on October 2 under a photo of her hugging the Princess of Wales, who also enjoys photography.

ACTION MAN WILLIAM SPARKS FAN FRENZY

Prince William has donned camouflage and fired a sniper rifle during a training session with the Welsh Guards.

The future king, a former army officer, sported a rugged look as he flew a drone during a visit to Salisbury Plain for live fire practice with soldiers from the 1st Battalion.

William, who became colonel of the regiment last year, fired a “full belt” of 200 machine gun rounds at a disused tank, earning praise from the machine gun platoon commander, who said he “did well hitting the target”.

Prince William cuts a dashing figure at Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage
Prince William cuts a dashing figure at Salisbury Plain in Wiltshire. Picture: Samir Hussein/WireImage
The future king was visiting the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards to hear how they have been transitioning from ceremonial duty back to the Field Army. Picture: WPA Pool/Getty Images
The future king was visiting the 1st Battalion Welsh Guards to hear how they have been transitioning from ceremonial duty back to the Field Army. Picture: WPA Pool/Getty Images

The royal said afterwards he enjoyed flying the drone, weapons which have been much used on the battlefield in the war in Ukraine.

One of the regiment’s senior drone operators said: “With the drones he was saying what’s happening is reality.”

Prince William uses a general-purpose machine gun at the firing range. Picture: AFP
Prince William uses a general-purpose machine gun at the firing range. Picture: AFP
Images of Prince William in action delighted royal fans on social media. Picture: Getty Images
Images of Prince William in action delighted royal fans on social media. Picture: Getty Images
Prince William had a go at flying a drone during his visit. Picture: Getty Images
Prince William had a go at flying a drone during his visit. Picture: Getty Images
One fan said she was loving Prince William’s “new era”. Picture: AFP
One fan said she was loving Prince William’s “new era”. Picture: AFP
Prince William during his visit to Salisbury Plain. Picture: /Getty Images
Prince William during his visit to Salisbury Plain. Picture: /Getty Images

The royal’s action man look drew a flurry of comments on social media, with fans praising his new look.

One enthusiastic royal fan posted on X: “Oh my! Nothing better than a hot man in uniform!”

Fans hailed the royal’s rugged look. Picture: Getty Images
Fans hailed the royal’s rugged look. Picture: Getty Images

“The handsome Prince,” another commented, while a second wrote: “I love William with a beard!”

A third fan added: “I love this new era of William. Looking great.”

‘DYSFUNCTIONAL’: HARRY’S FRIEND ON ROYALS

A former rugby union star who is close to Prince Harry has opened up about the royal family, describing them as “very dysfunctional”.

James Haskell, who played internationally for England, praised the monarchy but said it had issues.

“Some aren’t as great as others,” he told The Times. “They do amazing work — but they’re also a modern family that’s very dysfunctional.”

James Haskell with former partner Chloe Madeley at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding. Picture: Getty Images
James Haskell with former partner Chloe Madeley at Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding. Picture: Getty Images

Haskell met Prince Harry at Zara Tindall and Mike Tindall’s wedding in July 2011.

He later attended Prince Harry and Meghan Markle’s wedding in May 2018.

“To those who want to get rid of the monarchy — once they’re gone, they’re gone,” he said.

Haskell also revealed in the interview that he told an “inappropriate” joke about Prince Andrew at the Tindall wedding.

“Prince Andrew was sweating up a storm on the dancefloor, but then he realised that everyone was over 18 so he left. It was inappropriate, but it was funny,” he recalled.

ROYAL FAMILY CHRISTMAS PLANS REVEALED

This Christmas will be the most special in many years for the House of Windsor with former butler to King Charles Grant Harrold revealing exactly how the big day will unfold.

With both King Charles and Princess Catherine on the mend from their respective cancer journeys and the littlest princes and princess growing up fast, there is much to celebrate for the British royals.

Mr Harrold told the New York Post King Charles and Queen Camilla would be the first to arrive at the late Queen’s country estate Sandringham on December 23.

Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Catherine, Princess of Wales during the Royal Carols – Together At Christmas service last year, Picture: Getty Images
Prince William, Prince of Wales, Prince George, Princess Charlotte, Prince Louis and Catherine, Princess of Wales during the Royal Carols – Together At Christmas service last year, Picture: Getty Images

They will be joined by the Prince and Princess of Wales, both 42, and their children Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, nine, and Prince Louis, six, along with other close family members on Christmas Eve.

The royal kids will have to show some restraint as it’s off to at St Mary Magdalene Church on Christmas morning followed by Christmas dinner and gift giving in the afternoon.

“Historically, the king always gets there on Christmas Eve but I think he gets there the day before now,” Mr Harrold said.

This photo of Catherine, Princess of Wales taken on Christmas Day last year was one of the last times she was seen in public for six months following her cancer diagnosis. Picture: WireImage
This photo of Catherine, Princess of Wales taken on Christmas Day last year was one of the last times she was seen in public for six months following her cancer diagnosis. Picture: WireImage

“They’ll probably go on Christmas Eve, but if they’re already at Amber Hall, they’ll probably be up there before, especially with Kate not doing quite as much at the moment.

“Last Christmas she was probably aware that something wasn’t quite right, so I imagine it was quite a tough Christmas.”

Mr Harrold said given improvement in Catherine and the King’s health, this year’s Christmas would be “more positive, based on what we’ve been told.”

“It will be like any other Christmas, focused on the young family. They’re very family orientated, like the late Queen, so that will be their focus,” he said.

Christmas has always been family focused for the royals. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge with Prince Harry attend a Christmas party for volunteers in 2016. Picture: Getty Images
Christmas has always been family focused for the royals. Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge with Prince Harry attend a Christmas party for volunteers in 2016. Picture: Getty Images

While Harry and Meghan will be spending their Christmas Day in California with Prince Archie, five, Princess Lilibet, three, and Meghan’s mother Doria Ragland, they will not be forgotten according to Mr Harrold.

“I think Harry and Meghan themselves will possibly reach out,” he said.

“The thing about Christmas, it is about goodwill to others, letting bygones be bygones, forgetting the past, moving into the new year.

“So if there’s any point in the year that the families are going to communicate or touch base, it’s going to be over Christmas — there’s something magical about Christmas that gets families back together.”

Prince Harry and Prince William attend the Christmas Day church service at St Mary's Church in Sandringham, England in 2008. Picture: Getty Images
Prince Harry and Prince William attend the Christmas Day church service at St Mary's Church in Sandringham, England in 2008. Picture: Getty Images

In addition to the family’s private celebration, Princess Catherine will host her annual Royal Carols: Together at Christmas concert set to air on Christmas Eve.

The Princess personally reached out to victim’s families and survivors of the knife attack at a Taylor Swift dance concert in July and invited them to attend.

A spokesperson for Kensington Palace confirmed the families had accepted the offer to ABC News.

The royals off to church on Christmas Day 2023. Picture: AFP
The royals off to church on Christmas Day 2023. Picture: AFP

“This year, Her Royal Highness wanted to celebrate the many people supporting those in need — individuals who have inspired, counselled, comforted and above all else shown that love is the greatest gift we can receive,” the spokesperson said.

Catherine has hosted the concert since 2021.

Christmas Day marked the last time Princess Catherine was seen in public for six months.

After months of wild speculation, she eventually revealed she was battling cancer.

Originally published as Teen with cancer who shared special moment with Kate dies

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/news/world/prince-william-and-princess-catherines-christmas-plans-revealed/news-story/ec75334b946e31104c5d81f20f81d893