Liz Hatton, a journalist by profession and a passionate photographer at 45, could hardly imagine how dramatic her meeting at Windsor Castle would turn out to be this week. She not only met the Princess of Wales, whom she fully adored, but even had a good ‘snuggle’ with her, a moment that Hatton said will hold for the rest of her life.
“Good afternoon everyone, it was a pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today. A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both,” the royal couple wrote on social media accounts.
Hatton was thankful and said such meetings do not happen every day and her mother agreed saying that this day will be forever in their family’s memory.
Earlier this year in January, as a result of abdominal pain that Hatton had been complaining about, doctors discovered that she had ovarian and liver tumors. The disease altered her trajectory within weeks; here she was looking to gain admission into a university with her family. Liz Hatton had a rare and super aggressive cancer known as desmoplastic small round cell tumor. She was promised 6 months to three years at most.
William’s involvement with London’s Air Ambulance Charity facilitated the circulation of Hatton’s story to the Prince and Princess of Wales. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge hosted Hatton at Windsor Castle to take private pictures during a royal award ceremony. This event did not merely appreciate Hatton aspirations as a photographer, but acknowledged them to the fullest.
According to CBS News, the royal invitation was extended after a Facebook post made by her mother, Vicky Robayna, regarding her daughter’s photography bucket list. Her mother, trying to remind her daughter, had shared on social media a photography bucket list in the month of May, in order to capture certain beautiful moments of time that she had. The list contained colorful aims for example aiming to shoot a London musical, shooting routines at London Fashion Week, taking pictures to various music festivals.
Taking photographs of a royal function was not on the list of her mother’s expectations but any opportunity that allowed her to take some pictures was embraced by her mother to make her daughter enjoy life in the few days that she had. After the program, Prince William and Kate joined Hatton and her relatives for some snap shots. Hatton was also complimented by Princess Kate due to the fact that she is also fond of taking photographs and stated that she was impressed by Hatton’s imagination and power.
Since the diagnosis, Hatton’s family has pushed her to live her life to the fullest. After distributing her bucket list, Hatton has been able to get work in shooting high-end events including ‘Wicked’ and ‘Cabaret’ productions in London.
She has been able to go to the set for her favourite TV show which has allowed her to achieve her desires even after receiving that devastating news about her condition.
