Kate Middleton’s ‘work has only just begun’ after finishing cancer treatments
After being diagnosed with terminal cancer, teen photographer Liz Hatton came up with a bucket list of things she'd like to take pictures of before she died. Not necessarily on the list? Snapping a private awards ceremony at Windsor Castle on October 2 – but that's exactly what the thrilled 16-year-old got to do, thanks to Princess Kate
Having heard Liz's story from Prince William, Kate, 42 – an avid photographer herself, who announced in September that she'd completed chemotherapy in her own cancer battle – reportedly extended the invite to capture the royal event. Later in the day, the Prince and Princess of Wales also met with Liz and her family. "Talking to them was amazing," gushed the teen of the "lovely" and "genuine" couple. "There was no sort of grandeur about them, there was just humanity and kindness."
The face-to-face is only the beginning of Kate's plan to give back to those still struggling with cancer. "In September, she publicly vowed to help others through their journeys, and Kate is following through," a source exclusively tells Life & Style. "Meeting Liz was emotional for Kate, but her work has only just begun. She wants to do more. Kate really is determined to turn her difficult experience into something that benefits others."
While more documented meetups are surely in the cards, "Kate says her more important role will be working behind the scenes, in ways no one ever needs to find out about," says the source. "Kate doesn't want to take away from the cancer researchers, nurses and doctors who are doing the hardest jobs. She says they're the ones who need to get the credit, not her."
Of course, she's witnessed their work firsthand. After abdominal surgery led to her diagnosis, Kate began the early stages of chemotherapy in March. "The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family ," the mom of three - who shares kids Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6, with William, 42 - said in September. "The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you."
Now, whether through fundraising or raising awareness, Kate's walking "hand in hand" with other patients. Says the source: "She wants something good to come from this!"
This story was originally published October 17, 2024, 2:02 PM.
