Liz Hatton, the cancer-stricken teenager who Kate Middleton helped achieve a bucket list dream, has died.

In a heartfelt message pointing to a rare and aggressive form of cancer. According to the BBC, doctors predicted her life expectancy would be between six months and three years.

“Our incredible daughter Liz passed away in the early hours of this morning,” she wrote. “She remained determined until the end. Even yesterday she was still making plans. We are very proud of the kindness, empathy and courage she has shown over the last year. Not only was she a phenomenal photographer, she was the best person, and the most wonderful daughter and big sister we could have ever asked for. No one could have fought harder for life than she did. There is a gaping Liz-shaped hole that I don’t know how we will ever fill I am so grateful to each and every one of you, whether you have offered your help or liked or shared posts – you have made Liz’s The last two months were their very best. She flew high until the end.”

On October 2, Princess Kate – who was diagnosed with cancer earlier this year – welcomed Hatton to Windsor Castle, the same day her husband Prince William held an investiture ceremony there. Hatton was invited by the Prince of Wales to photograph the investitures that day as part of her “photo bucket list”.

“It is a pleasure to meet Liz in Windsor today. “A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength inspired us both,” the Prince and Princess of Wales wrote on social media.

“Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us. ❤️,” they added. The couple signed the post “W & C,” using the initials of their first names as an abbreviation to signify that the message came directly from them.

Kate also attended the meeting with William and Hatton and was pictured giving the teenager a warm hug. PEOPLE understands that after the investiture was completed, William and Kate spent time privately with Hatton and their loved ones.

“Such a lovely, sincere and friendly person. I’m overjoyed that my family and I had this experience,” Hatton wrote on her Instagram Story on October 2, under a photo of herself hugging the Princess of Wales, which she loves to photograph. Kate describes herself as a “enthusiastic amateur photographer” and serves as a patron of the Royal Photographic Society.

In their message on In addition, the family is calling on others to raise funds for research into desmoplastic small round cell tumors

On October 3, Hatton appeared on the Today BBC Radio 4 program and said of William and Kate: “Talking to them was great because it was like talking to anyone, like a normal person.” There was no grandeur about them, just humanity and kindness .”

She added that it was “a huge shock” when William and Kate, both 42, entered the room at Windsor Castle.

“None of us really expected it – except my little brother, apparently!” she said.

Hatton was accompanied by her mother, her stepfather Aaron and her aforementioned little brother Mateo, 8. In an interview with The timesHatton shared that Windsor Castle kitchens also called her family to make sure Hatton would have her favorite meal – lemon cake. After the visit, when the sentimental story drew attention around the world, “the palace staff calls us every day to check if we’re OK,” Robayna told the outlet. “And I say ‘yes.’ Honestly, I’ve never seen Liz as alive as she was this week.”

Hatton told BBC Radio 4 that she wants to fill her life “with as many good experiences as possible, because these beautiful memories will be important not only to me, but also to the people around me who experience them with me.” ”

Robyana added in the radio interview: “If we chose to have Liz forever and not have any of these experiences – of course we would.” But that’s not up for debate and we’re so grateful that people are doing their best to do something good for her and make some of her dreams come true.”

On November 25, Robyana wrote on Three days before Thanksgiving, she wrote that the family planned to celebrate Christmas early at the end of the week.

“We know our time is short now. To everyone who has supported her work and cheered her on from afar, know how much you mean to us. She has lived a wonderful life, and that is in large part thanks to you,” she wrote.

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In an interview with The timesHatton said: “It is uncertain how long I have left and how long I will live. What is certain, however, is that this will not be the case for much longer. For this reason, I feel like the only thing you can do is do as much as possible, as much as possible of what you want to do and what you enjoy. And to spend it with the people you love.”

“And yeah, what else can you do?” she added. “Otherwise you would sit there the whole time and be overwhelmed. And of course there are days when you’re upset and it’s too much. Be positive, but…most of the time you just have to pick yourself up and let the people around you encourage you to keep going.”