Royal news – live: Kate Middleton’s touching conversation with cancer teen who has weeks left to live revealed

William and Kate met Liz and her family after the ceremony on Wednesday

Prince Harry laughs as young boy pulls his beard at WellChild awards in London

The teenager with a rare form of cancer who met the Princess of Wales as she returned to duty on Wednesday has revealed what was said during their touching conversation.

Photographs of the meeting show Kate, 42, who recently finished chemotherapy, hugging Liz Hatton, 16, from Harrogate after she was invited to photograph the investitures on Wednesday.

Liz has described getting a hug from Kate as “really special” as she revealed what they spoke about during their “genuine” and “lovely” half-an-hour chat.

“There was nothing about them that suggested they were superior,” she told The Mirror. “They were just really human to be honest and really natural. There was never a moment of awkwardness. It was normal to talk to them. They talked a lot about my photography.”

She added that Kate talked a “little bit” about her own love of photography and she asked about what camera she uses.

Kate and Prince William later said on social media: “A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today.

“A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both. Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us. W&C.”

Key Points

• Princess of Wales meets fellow cancer sufferer as return to duty continues
• Prince Harry arrives in South Africa without Meghan Markle
• Prince William celebrates new helicopters with David Beckham

[4 October 2024 09:00 · Emma Guinness]

Prince William reveals why he missed Paris Olympics

Prince William has revealed that he did not attend the Paris Olympics this summer because of fears that he could contract Covid and pass it on to the Princess of Wales.

The heir to the throne, 42, made the revelation yesterday when he met Olympians Adam Peaty and Tom Dean, and Paralympians Maisie Summers-Newton and Louise Fiddes, in Gateshead yesterday (3 October).

He said: “I was so keen to come but, I have to say, after reading someone’s interview about Covid I decided, because my wife was obviously having chemo, that I didn’t want to risk bringing Covid home.”

William then referred to Mr Peaty’s own positive Covid test during the games, adding: “So Adam very kindly reminded me that was still a thing. But we watched the whole thing. We were glued to it every day.”

Prince William did not want to expose Kate Middleton to Covid while she was having chemotherapy. (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

[4 October 2024 08:00 · Emma Guinness]

Young cancer sufferer ‘over the moon’ to meet Kate and William

A young cancer sufferer who was invited to Windsor Castle to photograph yesterday’s investitures said she was “over the moon” to meet the Prince and Princess of Wales.

Liz Hatton, 16, from Harrogate, was later described as an inspiration by the couple.

“Such lovely, genuine and kind people, I’m over the moon that my family and I had this experience,” she later wrote on X.

A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today. A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both. Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us. ❤️ W&C pic.twitter.com/VARhrbCvkv

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 2, 2024

[4 October 2024 06:00 · Emma Guinness]

King Charles sends message of condolences to Nepal

King Charles has sent a message of condolences to the president of Nepal following the devastating floods which have hit the country.

He wrote: “My wife and I were heartbroken to see the devastating effects of flooding and landslides in Nepal over the weekend.

“Many in the United Kingdom have strong, deep and personal ties to Nepal, not least through the Gurkhas and their outstanding contribution to the British Army. Together with the British public, we send our deepest condolences to those who have so tragically lost their loved ones, and who continue to be affected.”

Over 200 people are believed to have lost their lives in the flooding and landslides.

A message of condolence from The King to the President of Nepal, following the recent flooding and landslides. pic.twitter.com/5R0nCg6YMV

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) October 3, 2024

[4 October 2024 03:00 · Emma Guinness]

What do the royal family need to do to stay relevant?

Can the royal family and King Charles adapt to the modern age and stay relevant? Will Harry be able to rejoin The Firm? And what will the next generation of royalty be like?

These and more questions from our audience were answered in The Independent’s virtual event on the future of the royal family.

Hosted by assistant editor Victoria Harper, the panel features bestselling authors Anna Pasternak and Tessa Dunlop, plus royal historian Jonathan Spangler.

If you enjoy our virtual events, please consider supporting The Independent with a donation or by subscribing to Independent Premium.

[4 October 2024 00:00 · Emma Guinness]

Royal fans delighted by Princess of Wales’s return to work

Royal family well-wishers have expressed their delight that the Princess of Wales is slowly but surely returning to her duties.

Kate, 42, is in the midst of a gradual return to work after completing cancer treatment following her diagnosis earlier this year.

She was photographed this week hugging fellow cancer sufferer, Liz Hatton, 16, from Harrogate, who was invited to photograph the investitures at Windsor Castle on Wednesday.

Praising the princess, one fan wrote: “So lovely to see HRH easing back into engagements.”

“Great to see Kate, looking beautiful and classy as ever,” added a second while a third praised: “This is beautiful to see you using your story to help others.”

A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today. A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both. Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us. ❤️ W&C pic.twitter.com/VARhrbCvkv

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 2, 2024

[3 October 2024 21:00 · Emma Guinness]

Prince William pays tribute to Empire Windrush survivor

Prince William has today paid tribute to one of the last survivors of the Empire Windrush, Alford Gardner, who passed away on Tuesday.

Taking to the official Kensington Palace Twitter/X account, he wrote: “I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Alford Gardner, one of the last surviving passengers of the Empire Windrush.

“I was delighted to spend some time with him last summer and hear his story. As a leading figure in the Caribbean community in West Yorkshire, he changed the lives of so many with his courage and positivity.

“He leaves behind a legacy for us all to be proud of and will be remembered for his warmth, his courage, and of course his unwavering love of cricket! W”

I was so sorry to hear of the passing of Alford Gardner, one of the last surviving passengers of the Empire Windrush.

I was delighted to spend some time with him last summer and hear his story. As a leading figure in the Caribbean community in West Yorkshire, he changed the… pic.twitter.com/s89Dl5Hsga

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 3, 2024

[3 October 2024 18:00 · Emma Guinness]

Queen Camilla tours site of new King Charles III Sacristy

Queen Camilla has toured the building work on the new King Charles III Sacristy, which will transform the entrance of Westminster Abbey for future visitors.

The queen consort, 77, viewed the foundations of the £13m project that will allow members of the public to enter the historic building like royals.

Mr Dean, the Abbey’s Surveyor of the Fabric, said: “This building will be transformational. At the moment 10% of our area in the Abbey is wasted, with storage and items all over the place.

“We’ll be able to get all of that stuff in our new building, all the detritus and visitor clutter, and people buying tickets and picking up tickets and sound guides, all of that will move into the new building.

“But, most importantly, we’ll be rebuilding a part of the building that was intended by Henry III, his great rebuilding of the Abbey, on its original 13th-century footprint.”

Reacting to the work, Camilla said: “I can’t wait to see the final version.”

The visitor entrance to Westminster Abbey is in the process of being transformed. (Chris Jackson/PA Wire)

Queen Camilla is patron of the Westminster Abbey Sacristy Project. (Chris Jackson/PA Wire)

[3 October 2024 17:00 · Emma Guinness]

Prince Harry receives adorable gift at WellChild Awards in case he ‘feels down’

Prince Harry was honoured with a thoughtful gift by one of the many inspirational children at this year’s WellChild Awards.

The Duke of Sussex, who recently turned 40, flew to London especially for the occasion, which honours the achievements of seriously ill young people and their families.

Scarlett Cripps, 10, who won the Inspirational Child Award in the seven to 11 category, said she wanted to give the prince and his family a present that might help them if they are ever “feeling down”.

She was in attendance with her mum, Aby, and younger sister, Sienna, seven, who also met with the prince.

“[Sienna] gave Prince Harry some crystal hearts so if he feels down he can give a crystal heart to each of his family members to squeeze and make them feel a lot happier,” the proud mum explained.

“They’re little baby crystal hearts. She said he does so much for other people as well. She’s getting an award tonight for the stuff she does for others and wanted to give him something back, as well.”

Reflecting on meeting Harry, the youngster told PEOPLE: “It was really exciting. We were talking about his charities.”

Scarlett, who has complex medical needs, was recognised for her determination to cheer up others facing similar health battles.

Scarlett, 10, said it was ‘really exciting’ to meet Prince Harry. (The Royal Family Channel/YouTube)

[3 October 2024 15:00 · Emma Guinness]

Prince William celebrates Aston Villa’s historic win

The Prince of Wales celebrated Aston Villa’s historic win over Bayern Munich so hard that he lost his voice.

In scenes that have not been seen since their European Cup final win 42 years ago, the team emerged victorious with a final result of 1-0 over their German rival last night.

William said: “I’ve lost my voice. I can’t quite believe it. 42 years.”

The heir to the throne met the team ahead of the historic game at the Villa Park stadium in Birmingham.

42 years on, our 1982 European Cup winning legends are here on an historic night for @AVFCOfficial

Ready for the first game on home turf in this year's European adventure... #UTV pic.twitter.com/xvrOVSUHIf

— The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) October 2, 2024

[3 October 2024 12:39 · Athena Stavrou]

Kate’s touching conversation with teen with cancer who has weeks left to live revealed

The teenager with a rare form of cancer who met the Princess of Wales as she returned to duty on Wednesday has revealed what was said during their touching conversation.

Photographs of the meeting show Kate, 42, who recently finished chemotherapy, hugging Liz Hatton, 16, from Harrogate after she was invited to photograph the investitures on Wednesday.

Liz has described getting a hug from Kate as “really special” as she revealed what they spoke about during their “genuine” and “lovely” half-an-hour chat.

“There was nothing about them that suggested they were superior,” she told The Mirror. “They were just really human to be honest and really natural. There was never a moment of awkwardness. It was normal to talk to them. They talked a lot about my photography.”

She added that Kate talked a “little bit” about her own love of photography and she asked about what camera she uses.

Princess Kate embraces a teenager with cancer as she is pictured for the first time returning to work after chemotherapy (Kensington Palace)