The brother of inspirational cancer campaigner and photographer Liz Hatton gave the Prince and Princess of Wales two very special gifts today when he was reunited with them at a Buckingham Palace garden party.
Mateo Robayna, nine, wanted to give the couple two Jellycat soft toys because they were Liz’s favourite – and she would give them to people who ‘made her happy’.
He found a £23 ‘Tarte au citron’ for Catherine, 43, and a collector’s item Pickled Onion for William.
And while both may seem odd choices, they do in fact have very special meaning for both Liz, who tragically died in November at the age of just 17, as well as the royals.
When the teenager – who inspired the nation with both her courageous battle against a rare form of terminal cancer and determination to complete a ‘bucket list’ of photographic assignments – was invited by William to Windsor Castle in October to capture an investiture, he and Catherine also decided to invite the family to stay for tea.
They asked their team to find out what Liz’s favourite foods were. Sadly at the time her cancer was at such an advanced state that her sense of taste was affected and she was having trouble eating very much at all.
When Liz’s parents told them she adored lemon drizzle cake, William and Catherine got their kitchen to rustle up a special cake just for her.
Liz later declared it the best she had ever eaten – and even towards the end of her life would still talk about how amazing it was.
The Princess of Wales oozed glamour as she arrived at a garden party at Buckingham Palace this afternoon alongside Prince William
The Jellycat soft toys presented to the Prince and Princess of Wales by the family of Liz Hatton, mother Vicky Robayna, father Aaron and brother Mateo at a Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace
The Prince and Princess of Wales today met the parents of Liz Hatton, the teenage photographer who captured the hearts of the nation with her brave cancer fight
Also at today’s garden party was Tony Hudgell, the double amputee from Kent who missed the King’s garden party last year due to a traffic jam
The Prince and Princess of Wales receive Jellycat soft toys and meet the family of Liz Hatton, mother Vicky Robayna, father Aaron and brother Mateo (pictured shaking Kate’s hand)
Mateo felt that the lemon tart toy would be a perfect choice for the princess, who was photographed hugging Liz – a particularly emotional gesture given her own cancer fight.
As for the pickled onion? ‘Because Liz loved all things pickled,’ her mother Vicky told Mail Online, adding that she thought the prince would have enjoyed the joke.
‘Both were Mateo’s choice!’
She said that the royal couple both asked separately if he were sure he wanted to give the toys up to them, and of course he did.
William added of the highly sought-after collectibles: ‘My children will love these, They are children’s currency.’
Kate added: ‘It matches my dress, how did you know? We talked about it. When I see the fish and chips Jellycat, I think of her.
‘She really made the most of everything. I loved her creativity all the way through. If you need any help fundraising, maybe I can help. Please stay in touch, really.’
The couple made a point of inviting Liz family’s – mother Vicky, step-father Aaron and brother Mateo – to their garden party as a tribute to their incredible daughter and sister.
The couple have remained privately in touch with the family since last year.
Following Liz’s death, William and Kate paid tribute to her, saying: ‘We are so sorry to hear that Liz Hatton has sadly passed away.
‘It was an honour to have met such a brave and humble young woman. Our thoughts and prayers are with Liz’s parents Vicky and Aaron, and her brother Mateo, at this unimaginably difficult time.’
Liz Hatton met Kate at Windsor Castle earlier this year and shared a hug, which went viral
The Prince and Princess of Wales stand at the top of the Garden steps before the start of a Royal Garden Party
The royal couple were joined by the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh (right)
The four royals appeared in bright spirits as they headed down the steps upon arrival
The Princess of Wales appeared fully in her elements as she spoke to guests
In addition to meeting the Hatton family, Kate was also reunited with Holocaust survivor Steven Frank
They shared a hug and Kate said ‘I feel like we are old friends’
Kate re-wore her lemon yellow dress by Emilia Wickstead today and a hat by Phillip Treacy as she stood on the terrace for the National Anthem in the grounds of Buckingham Palace, while the Prince of Wales wore a morning suit.
The Princess of Wales’s look today was a rewear of her ensemble from the Service of Thanksgiving for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee in 2022.
It marks her first appearance at a garden party since 2023 – having skipped last year while she was having cancer treatment.
Vicky and Aaron have since channeled their grief into creating Capture, a charity dedicated to supporting those with Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour, the rare cancer that claimed Liz’s life.
The charity has funded its first research project and plans to launch its website by the end of May. They are also fundraising through events like a 24-hour swim and a marathon challenge for 100 teams. A photo calendar featuring Liz’s work will be released on what would have been her 18th birthday.
Also at today’s garden party was Tony Hudgell, the double amputee from Kent who missed the King’s garden party earlier this month due to a traffic jam. This time, Tony made it in plenty of time and was warmly welcomed by Queen Camilla at a private gathering.
Kate, 43, rewore her yellow dress by Emilia Wickstead and a hat by Phillip Treacy
The princess was as stylish as ever as she spoke to guests at the garden party
The family of Liz Hatton attending the Buckingham Palace garden party this afternoon
Princess Eugenie, the younger daughter of Prince Andrew and Sarah Ferguson, was also present
As was Zara Tindall (right) who looked effortlessly elegant in florals
Tony Hudgell, who missed last year’s event due to a traffic jam, was reunited with Prince William and got to shake his hand
Prince William (pictured today) and Kate were hosting the party on behalf of King Charles
Prince William was dressed in smart attire as he joined his wife for her garden party return
The Prince and Princess, who were joined by Zara Tindall and Princess Eugenie, and Sophie and Edward, Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, had met Liz just months before her passing.
Liz’s dream of photographing the Prince of Wales at an investiture was fulfilled shortly before she died in November 2024.
The royal couple’s meeting with Liz’s parents today was a poignant reminder of her strength and spirit.
Kate spoke warmly of Liz’s courage, saying, ‘Her passion for photography and her bravery in the face of such challenges inspired us both deeply.’
In addition to meeting the Hatton family, Kate was also reunited with Holocaust survivor Steven Frank, whom she’d met at a Holocaust Memorial Day event in 2025. When they met Kate said, ‘I feel like we are old friends now. Lovely to see you again.’
Their meeting brought full circle their previous connection, as the Princess had photographed Mr Frank in 2020 for her Generations: Portraits of Holocaust Survivors exhibition, capturing powerful images that honoured those who lived through the atrocities of the Second World War.
Britain’s Kate, the Princess of Wales, speaks to guests as she attends The King’s Garden Party
The Princess of Wales commanded attention in her lemon yellow ensemble, as she spoke to gathering crowds
Britain’s Prince William and Kate, the Princess of Wales, appeared perfectly in sync this afternoon
It was a family affair as they were joined by royals including Zara Tindall for the event
The reunion was a deeply moving continuation of that bond, with the royal couple paying tribute to Mr Frank’s story and the enduring importance of remembrance.
Other royals in attendance are the Duke and Duchess of Edinburgh, wearing a dress by Beulah and hat by Jane Taylor, and the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester.
Although the King wasn’t present, the party in the palace grounds is still known as The King’s Garden Party and held on his behalf.
Typically, the royal family hosts four garden parties every summer; three at Buckingham Palace and one at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Scotland.
The parties stem from a tradition of introducing debutantes into society – but evolved into a way of rewarding and recognising outstanding public service.
Among the figures invited to garden parties are nominated by state and local government departments, religious figures and official societies.
Each garden party – and there are normally around three or four held each year – see up to 8,000 specially-invited guests including community stalwarts, charity campaigners and military heroes invited to take tea and enjoy the palace gardens.
While the bands continue to play a selection of music, members of the Royal Family circulate among the guests through ‘lanes’.
Liz is an aspiring photographer and has been living out her wish list over the last few months. Pictured at the Venom premiere
Liz, pictured with her mother Vicky, stepfather Aaron and little brother Mateo in Disneyland
Like the prince and princess, the public were deeply moved by Liz’s strength, maturity and determination to face her tragically inevitable death head on. Liz and her family pictured with the Prince and Princess
Each takes a different route and random presentations are made so that everyone has an equal chance of speaking to a royal before they they arrive at the Royal Tea Tent, where they meet further guests.
They are then are then free to eat, drink and stroll around the beautiful Palace gardens.
Other notable guests include Steven Frank, a Holocaust survivor who The Princess photographed in 2020 to commemorate the 75th anniversary of the end of the Holocaust.
Their Royal Highnesses will also meet guests from a number of both their patronages, military affiliations and passion projects including; Homewards, Action for Children, Ty Hafan, and tenants across Duchy of Cornwall sites.
