Liz Hatton’s mom reveals her daughter’s physique has been donated to medical college students – as she shares heartbreaking put up about Christmas with out her daughter

Liz Hatton’s mother revealed her daughter’s body has been donated to medical students at Glasgow University.

The talented photographer, 17, who touched the hearts of the nation after meeting the Princess of Wales, passed on Wednesday at her home in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, less than a year after being diagnosed with an incurable desmoplastic small round cell tumour.

Her mother Vicky Robayna, took to X to share the heartbreaking news as she also updated supporters about her daughters dying wish and mission to raise £100,000 for vital medical research.

The family have started a Just Giving page saying they are making it their mission to raise money to fund research into desmoplastic small round cell tumour in Liz’s memory. 

Sharing a snap of Liz with her beloved younger brother Mateo, the mother wrote: ‘Today whilst most people across the world indulged in Black Friday sales – Liz started a new journey. 

‘Her body arrived at Glasgow University where she will spend three years, giving medical students the best opportunity to know more about her disease.’

Vicky revealed her daughter was passionate about donating her body and she wanted to support others with Desmoplastic Round Cell Tumour. 

The mother added: ‘She ate and drank even when feeling extremely sick to make sure she met the criteria to go. Liz wasn’t scared of dying but she was scared of leaving us – and especially Mateo – behind. 

‘In her death she was determined to do everything she could to ensure other siblings get to stay together. We are determined to help her to do this and are on a mission to raise as many funds as we can to fund vital research and support for others with Desmoplastic Round Cell Tumour. 

‘If you can please donate to help us stop other young people dying too soon. If everyone who sees the post donates just £1 we could make such a difference. 

‘Ideas for fundraising activities and offers of help also very welcome. We will make the difference Liz wants us to make, even if it takes a lifetime. 

‘If you can’t donate please help us by liking, sharing or commenting on this post in the hope that others will see it. Together we can make a difference.’

Liz compiled an inspirational ‘bucket list’ of assignments to complete in the last months of her life, which reached the ears of the future king and queen.

She was invited by them to Windsor Castle to photograph an investiture William was holding and, to her surprise, asked to have tea with the couple afterwards.

Catherine, who has gone through her own cancer journey this year, was pictured giving Liz an emotional hug, although the pair pointedly did not discuss their respective experiences but focused on their shared love of photography.

As a result of their meeting, however, the brave teenager – who always said she did not want to be defined by her illness – was inundated with offers of support and was able to complete almost all of her bucket list, including a London film premiere, and more.

She was even snapping away, despite being in great pain, on the red carpet of the Royal Variety Show last Friday and was proud beyond belief to attend an exhibition of her incredible work in London.

Sadly, however, her condition began to rapidly deteriorate, so much so that her family had decided to celebrate Christmas early this weekend because it was her adored little brother Mateo’s wish to have her here for it.

Tragically, that wasn’t to be. Liz’s mother, Vicky Robayna, told the Mail last night that the family were taking comfort from the fact that she had blazed such a trail in such a short space of time.

She said: ‘Our lovely Liz died in the early hours of this morning. She remained determined to her last.

‘Even yesterday she was telling me that I had better get nurses sorted so she could do more things.

‘She went out in a blaze of glory with almost everyone she cared out seeing her for the last time at her exhibition last week.

‘I could not be prouder of her. She has faced every day with unbelievable bravery. And now it’s our turn to do her proud and give her brother the life she expects us to.

‘She was never scared of dying but she was terrified of leaving him behind. It’s our job to make that a little easier for her.’

Vicky said that Liz, who fell in love with photography as a young girl, would have ‘loved nothing more’ than her photographs being ‘seen one more time’.

In honour of this, the Daily Mail is publishing a picture she took of her beloved Mateo.

It is accompanied by a portrait of Liz, taken during a fashion shoot for the newspaper, described by Vicky as one of her favourites of her daughter.

Vicky has asked people to share one of her daughter’s photos on social media so Liz can ‘go out with a bang’.

Writing on X alongside a black and white photo of Liz, Mrs Robayna paid tribute to her ‘incredible daughter’ saying she was ‘determined to the last’.

‘We are so very proud of the kindness, empathy and courage she has shown in the last year,’ she said.

‘She was not only a phenomenal photographer, she was the best human, and the most wonderful daughter and big sister we could ever have asked for.

‘No one could have fought harder for life than she did. There is a gaping Liz shaped hole in our lives that I am not sure how we will ever fill.

‘We have so much gratitude to every single one of you, whether you offered to help, or liked or shared posts – you ensured Liz’s last two months were her very best. She flew high until the end.’

Kerry Reeves-Kneip, Director of Communications at Sarcoma UK said:

‘It is with profound sadness that we learn of the death of Liz Hatton, a talented young photographer who touched many hearts and whose life was tragically cut short by sarcoma. At Sarcoma UK, we are deeply moved by her story and the courage she demonstrated in facing this challenging disease.

‘We were privileged to have met Liz and her mother, working with them to share her powerful story and raise awareness about the impact of sarcoma.

‘To work with them was a humbling reminder of the strength, resilience, and hope that can emerge even in the most challenging circumstances. Our collaboration to bring her story to the press was not just about raising awareness, but about humanising the experience of young people facing rare and aggressive cancers.

‘Liz Hatton’s remarkable photograph of the Princess of Wales captured a moment of genuine human connection that resonated with people around the world. Her talent and spirit shine as a testament to the potential and resilience of young people facing serious illness.

‘Her passing is a stark reminder of the urgent need for continued research and better treatments for sarcoma – a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects too many young lives. Our thoughts are with Liz’s family, friends, and all those who knew and loved her during this immensely difficult time.

‘We honour Liz’s memory and her contribution to raising awareness about sarcoma, hoping that her legacy will inspire continued support for research and understanding of this devastating disease.’

In January of 2024, she was given between six months and three years to live, and – after deciding to stop months of gruelling treatment – dropped her studies to pursue her dream of taking photos.

She inspired people all over the nation with a ‘bucket list’ of moments she wanted to capture – including snapping behind the scenes of a West End show and helping out on a film set.

Liz’s bucket list also included watching the filming of her favourite show, Would I Lie To You, having her photos published in as many magazines as possible, taking pictures of the catwalk at London Fashion Week, capturing circus performers practicing their act and helping with filming a movie.

She had also wanted to photograph a music festival, take photos of the Christmas markets at Tivoli Gardens, do a photo shoot with professional models and take photos in a fashion shoot at a big fashion house.

Six, the West End musical, found out about Liz’s list and invited her to photograph the pre-show warm up and the cast.

And in another sweet moment, Liz was spotted working alongside photographers to capture celebrities attending the UK premiere of Tom Hardy’s Venom: The Last Dance.

Although Liz’s list is what made her first known to most people, her legacy went far beyond these accomplishments – as she even had an exhibition held in her name.