The Princess of Wales hugged a young fellow cancer sufferer after she was invited to Windsor Castle to take pictures by Prince William.

In a moving encounter keen photographer Liz Hatton, 16, who is battling a rare and aggressive tumour, was asked by the future king to join him at an investiture he was holding to capture participants including Mark Cavendish, Waynes Barnes and Alistair McCoist.

Liz, from Harrogate in Yorkshire, is trying to take part in as many photography experiences as possible and received the personal invitation from William after he found out about her through the London Air Ambulance Charity of which he is patron.

Liz was also invited along with her family to meet with William and Kate privately to hear about her day and cancer journey.

During the emotional meeting, the princess – who announced last month she has completed her own course of preventative chemotherapy treatment – flung her arms around the teenager.

Looking radiant in a burgundy trouser suit, beige jumper and gold earrings, it was the first time the princess had been pictured back ‘at work’ since she made her latest announcement, although the meeting was classed as ‘private’ and will not be recorded in the Court Circular.