Liz was loving life until the very ...which is exactly how she'd have chosen it to be

THE talented photographer who hugged fellow cancer sufferer the Princess of Wales loved life until the end, her mum has said.

- SASKIA ROWLANDS

Liz Hatton, 17, who lost her 10-month battle last month, touched hearts when she was pictured with Kate at Windsor Castle in October.

The meeting led to a string of once-in-a-lifetime opportunities for Liz, including taking pictures of A-list celebrities on the red carpet at the Royal Variety Show and joining the acclaimed photographer Rankin to lead a fashion shoot.

Speaking publicly for the first time since losing her girl, Victoria Robayna, 43, said "Liz was still independent and loving life until the very end, which is exactly how she would have chosen it to be. We could not have asked for it to have been a better way for Liz."

The family met the Prince and Princess of Wales when Liz was invited to Windsor to take pictures at an investiture ceremony William was holding.

Victoria added: "All any parent wants is for their child's dreams to come true, and the Prince and Princess of Wales were a big part in making that happen.

"Liz's final two months with us were the happiest that we have ever seen her, and a lot of that was down to their kindness - we truly can't thank them enough.

"Before that day at Windsor Castle Liz had had some opportunities, but the meeting really brought her into the public eye and allowed her dreams to become reality."

Liz's life was turned upside down when she was diagnosed with a rare desmoplastic small round cell tumour and told she had six months to three years to live.

But she was determined not to let it get in the way of pursuing her dream of becoming a photographer.