Prince William and Princess Kate made a sweet gesture to two grieving parents after the death of their teenage daughter. The Prince and Princess of Wales met teenage photographer Liz Hatton last year when they invited her to photograph an Investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle.

Liz, 17, was battling with an aggressive desmoplastic small round cell tumour at the time, and, along with her parents and younger brother, was invited to meet Prince William and Princess Kate after the investiture ceremony. It was here that the couple heard about Liz’s story with cancer, and her wish to pursue her photography.

Both the future King and Queen developed a sweet relationship with the photographer and her family, and even sent Liz’s parents a heartfelt gift after she sadly passed away last November.

In an interview with People, Liz’s mum Vicky Robayna said that William and Kate gifted the family the Ice N Roses Early Rose, which is set to flower around the anniversary of Liz’s death.

She also told People just how much William and Kate helped them, and felt like an “extended family”.

Vicky said: “Liz always said they were two of the most genuine people she ever met, and I think they were just so kind and so down to earth. They were very good with both the children.

“Liz would have said that her favourite part of the whole experience was the way they were with Mateo [Liz’s younger brother]. He was really shy and they had him chatting away at the end. She really loved them for that. It felt like walking into an extended family and having arms wrapped around you.”

Prince William and Princess Kate have kept in touch with Liz Hatton’s family (Image: Aaron Chown – WPA Pool / Getty Images)

Both Prince William, 43, and Princess Kate, 43, have remained in touch with the family and recently saw them again at a Buckingham Palace garden party.

It was here that they shared sweet embraces, with Kate offering to help with any fundraising for the family’s charity Capture, which is dedicated to supporting those with Desmoplastic Small Round Cell Tumour.

The Princess of Wales reportedly told the family: “If you need any help fundraising, maybe I can help. Please stay in touch, really.”

William and Kate were also handed jellycat toys by Liz’s brother Mateo in memory of Liz , who used to give the toys to people who made her happy.