A teenager whose pursuit of photography while being treated for terminal cancer led her to meet the Princess of Wales and work with the photographer Rankin has died.
Liz Hatton, 17, from Harrogate, North Yorkshire, died early on Wednesday morning, her mother, Vicky Robayna, announced on social media.
Hatton was diagnosed with a rare aggressive cancer in January and began a photography bucket list. She was invited to photograph a Windsor Castle investiture in October where the Princess of Wales was pictured hugging her.
Posting on X on Wednesday evening, Robayna said: “Our incredible daughter Liz died in the early hours of this morning. She remained determined to the last. Even yesterday she was still making plans. We are so very proud of the kindness, empathy and courage she has shown in the last year.”
Hatton was told in January she had between six months and three years to live after she was diagnosed with desmoplastic small round cell tumour. She ended chemotherapy in October.
Her mother added: “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.
“There is a gaping Liz-shaped hole in our lives that I am not sure how we will ever fill. We have so much gratitude to every single one of you, whether you offered to help, or liked or shared posts – you ensured Liz’s last two months were her very best. She flew high until the end.”
The experiences ticked off on her bucket list included working on a fashion shoot, which she was helped to do by Rankin.
The Observer commissioned Hatton to photograph an exhibition launch at Somerset House in June and published her pictures of Tilda Swinton and Erin O’Connor.
She also worked alongside press photographers at the premiere of Venom: The Last Dance and shot a portrait of the comedian Michael McIntyre.
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Hatton was taking photographs on the red carpet of the Royal Variety Performance on Friday.
Robayna asked people to share her daughter’s photographs on social media and to help fundraise for research into desmoplastic small round cell tumours. She said: “In 2024 a 15% five-year survival rate is simply not enough. Together we can change that.”
A spokesperson for the charity Sarcoma UK said that Hatton’s death “is a stark reminder of the urgent need for continued research and better treatments for sarcoma – a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects too many young lives. Our thoughts are with Liz’s family, friends, and all those who knew and loved her during this immensely difficult time.
“We honour Liz’s memory and her contribution to raising awareness about sarcoma, hoping that her legacy will inspire continued support for research and understanding of this devastating disease.”
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