Kate and William welcome late cancer campaigner’s family to Buckingham Palace

The Princess of Wales made her Buckingham Palace garden party return for the first time since her cancer diagnosis last year.

Kate was joined by Prince William, who was still sporting his beard for the event, as they hosted on behalf of the King.

Making Kate’s return even more special was being reunited with the family of late teen cancer campaigner Liz Hatton.

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The princess was famously snapped hugging the keen photographer who ticked off a bucket list moment photographing an investiture at Windsor Castle last October before meeting the royal.

It marked a rare appearance from Kate amid her own cancer journey and the pair bonded over their love of photography.

Hatton’s mum Vicky Robayna, stepdad Aaron and younger brother Mateo were among 8000 guests on the lawns of Buckingham Palace on Tuesday.

The family have recently started a charity in the 17-year-old’s honour, following her death in November from desmoplastic small round cell tumour, which is a rare and aggressive cancer without a standard treatment plan.

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At the time of Hatton’s death, Prince William and Kate shared a personal and heartfelt message, labelling it “an honour to have met such a brave and humble young woman”.

For the garden party, Kate rewore a lemon Emilia Wickstead coat dress with a matching Philip Treacy rosette and ribbon hat.

The 43-year-old was last spotted wearing the combo at the Service of Thanksgiving at St Paul’s Cathedral for Queen Elizabeth’s Platinum Jubilee in June 2022.

The outfit was paired with different shoes, Kate switching from pointed toe suede pumps to pointed toe suede sling backs for the spring affair.

The Prince and Princess of Wales were joined by Prince Edward and Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh along with Princess Eugenie and Zara Tindall.

King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted the first garden party of the season earlier this month.

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But on Tuesday, Their Majesties were at an event celebrating 100 years of Canada House in London, ahead of their visit to the Commonwealth nation later this month.

There’s one more garden party of the season to be held, which will take place on July 1 in Edinburgh, Scotland, at the Palace of Holyroodhouse.

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