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In a quiet corner of northern England, where the air grows crisp and the first frost begins to touch the earth, a single pale rose blooms faithfully each November. This delicate yet resilient flower, unfolding its petals against the chill, is no ordinary rose. It serves as a living tribute to 17-year-old Liz Hatton, a talented young photographer whose life was tragically cut short in 2024 by a rare and aggressive form of abdominal cancer. But this rose also carries a deeper significance—it reflects the quiet strength and compassion of Princess Catherine, whose tender support during Liz’s final months left a lasting impression on the nation.
The rose, known as "Ice and Roses Early Rose," was a personal gift from the Prince and Princess of Wales to Liz’s family. It arrived during the final stages of Liz’s life, a time when she was determined to complete a photography bucket list even as she battled desmoplastic small round cell tumor, a rare sarcoma with very limited research and awareness. Her strength and determination caught the attention of many, including Prince William and Princess Catherine. Deeply moved by her story, they did more than send their sympathies—they extended heartfelt and personal support to Liz and her family.
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Liz’s mother, Vicki Roana, recalls vividly the moment Princess Catherine visited them—a visit made all the more powerful given that Catherine herself was quietly undergoing chemotherapy at the time. Despite her own health struggles, she arrived with poise, warmth, and a deep sense of empathy. She connected with each family member, embracing Liz’s younger brother Matteo, and making the entire family feel, as Vicki described, as if they were walking into the embrace of an extended family. For Liz, who had long admired the royal couple for their authenticity, this moment was profoundly meaningful.
Even after Liz’s passing, the connection between the royals and the Hatton family did not fade. William and Catherine sent a handwritten letter of condolence, signed simply with “W and C,” expressing their sorrow and admiration for Liz’s bravery. It was a quiet but powerful act of kindness that helped the family navigate their overwhelming grief.
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In the wake of Liz’s death, her family created Capture, the world’s first charity dedicated to raising awareness and research funds for her rare form of cancer. Since its launch in November 2024, the initiative has raised more than $163,000. Vicki attributes much of this success to the support from the royal couple, explaining that without Princess Catherine’s involvement, their cause would never have reached so many people. “Liz’s story reached the world because of them,” she says.
The support from William and Catherine wasn’t limited to donations or public praise. They welcomed the Hattons to Princess Catherine’s special holiday carol service at Westminster Abbey and later to a garden party at Buckingham Palace. These invitations were far more than ceremonial—they were intimate, heartfelt acknowledgments of Liz’s spirit and passion. Even in her final days, Liz remained committed to her photography, taking pictures just five days before she passed away. Her focus and love for her craft were traits that Catherine chose to honor, not just through public recognition but through deep emotional presence.
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Liz didn’t just want the world to know about her illness—she wanted people to understand how kind Catherine had been to her. The Princess, who had her own private struggles, became a source of comfort, treating the Hatton family not as outsiders but as people she genuinely cared about. The blooming rose each year has come to symbolize not only Liz’s memory but also the dignity and grace with which her life was honored.
For Liz’s brother Matteo, the most vivid memories of his sister are not those tied to hospitals or treatments, but to joyful moments made possible through the generosity and connections offered by the royal couple—photoshoots with famous photographers like Rankin, magical trips to Windsor Castle, and the excitement of seeing Liz’s work exhibited publicly.
Vicki acknowledges the heartache of her daughter’s loss but also reflects on the beauty that emerged from such pain. “Would I choose to have her alive under any circumstances? Yes, in a heartbeat. But if she had to die, it couldn’t have been a more loving and dignified experience,” she says. Central to that experience was the unwavering compassion of Princess Catherine, who, even as she faced her own battle with illness, became a source of strength and serenity for a grieving family.
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At the Buckingham Palace garden party, Vicki was finally able to personally thank William and Catherine. She shared how their kindness had touched not only Liz during her life, but also how it had carried the family through the devastating aftermath of her passing. The conversation was quiet but deeply meaningful—a culmination of the bond that had been nurtured through grief, love, and shared humanity.
And so, each year when the Ice and Roses Early Rose begins to bloom once again, it does more than mark the passing of time. It stands as a gentle, enduring reminder of Liz’s light, her unyielding spirit, and the extraordinary kindness of a princess who made sure her legacy would never be forgotten. Through its petals, Catherine’s message of empathy and remembrance continues to blossom—quietly, yet profoundl
y—for years to come.
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