Samir Hussein/WireImage Kate Middleton and Prince William met with the family of late photographer Liz Hatton at the Buckingham Palace garden party on May 20 The royal couple were gifted a pair of Jellycat plushes by Liz's 9-year-old brother, Mateo, in memory of his sister, who died from a rare cancer in November 2024 The Prince and Princess of Wales invited Liz and her family to Windsor Castle a month before her death, where she crossed an item off her photography "bucket list" by taking pictures of a royal investiture Kate MiddletonandPrince Williamreceived some very special gifts atthe royal garden partythis week — and their three children,Prince George,Princess CharlotteandPrince Louis, will be thrilled to see them! The Prince and Princess of Wales welcomed thousands of guests to Buckingham Palace on Tuesday, May 20, including a few with whom they share a special connection. Prince William, 42, and Princess Kate, 43, met with the family of late photographerLiz Hatton, who died at age 17 from cancer in November 2024. The royal couple shook hands and spoke with Liz's parents, Aaron and Vicky Robayna, as well as her 9-year-old brother, Mateo. AARON CHOWN/POOL/AFP via Getty It was Mateo who picked out special gifts for the royal couple, presenting them with a pair of Jellycat plushes. The popular line of soft toys was a favorite of Liz's, and her family noted that she would give them to people who "made her happy." Mateo selected a tarte au citron plush for Kate, while William received a pickled onion. It may seem a strange combination, but both foods had special meaning for Liz. The onion was simple enough to explain: "Because Liz loved all things pickled," Vicky told theDaily Mail. As for the tarte, that hearkened back to when the Prince and Princess of Wales made one of Liz's "bucket list" wishes come true. They invited her to Windsor Castle in October 2024, following Kate's return to royal work after undergoing her own cancer treatment. At the time, Liz's cancer had advanced to the point that she struggled to eat, however, the royal couple took pains to present her with something special. When her parents suggested that lemon drizzle cake was a favorite, the royal kitchen presented Liz with one, and she declared it the best she'd ever had. Aaron Chown - WPA Pool / Getty In lieu of a drizzle cake Jellycat, Mateo thought the tarte a good substitute. His mother proudly told the royals how he had personally chosen each of the Jellycats to remind the royals of his big sister. "It matches my dress, how did you know?" marveled Kate, who donned a pale yellow dress by Emilia Wickstead and a matching Philip Treacy hat. "We talked about it. When I see the fish and chips Jellycat, I think of her." The gifts made Prince William bring up their three children — Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 10, and Prince Louis, 7. "My children will love these," he said. "They are children's currency." Can't get enough of PEOPLE's Royals coverage?Sign up for our free Royals newsletterto get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more! Princess Katepaid tributeto Liz's "strength and creativity" on International Women's Day on March 8, and when meeting with her family this week, reiterated her commitment to continuing their connection. "She really made the most of everything. I loved her creativity all the way through," she marveled to the photographer's family. "If you need any help fundraising, maybe I can help. Please stay in touch, really." As part of her Windsor Castle visit in October 2024, Liz was invited to photograph a royal investiture, marking another item off the photography bucket list that her mothershared on social mediaa few months before her death. Following her royal encounter, the teen photographer shared an image of her embracing Kate on her Instagram story "Such a lovely, genuine and kind people," she wrote. "I'm over the moon that my family and I had this experience." Read the original article onPeople
