Princess Kate: Emotional first pictures of Princess of Wales back at work, hugging cancer sufferer Liz Hatton

Throwing her arms around a fellow cancer sufferer, this is the poignant photo marking Kate’s return to public duties after chemotherapy.

In a moving encounter, the Princess of Wales met 16-year-old photographer Liz Hatton who is battling a rare and aggressive tumour.

Liz, from Harrogate in North Yorkshire, has created a photography “bucket list” and was invited to Windsor Castle to capture an investiture – a unique occasion for a photographer.

The Prince of Wales invited the teenager to photograph sports stars including cyclist Mark Cavendish, rugby referee Wayne Barnes and footballer Alistair McCoist after he found out about her talent through London’s Air Ambulance Charity, of which he is patron.

Following the event, Liz and her family were then invited to meet William and Kate privately to hear about her passion for photography and her cancer journey.

During the emotional 30-minute meeting, the princess – who announced last month that she had completed a course of preventative chemotherapy – gave a hug of hope to the teenager.

With the princess looking radiant in a burgundy trouser suit, beige jumper and gold earrings, it was the first time she has been pictured back “at work” since she made her latest announcement.

However the meeting was classed as “private” and will not be recorded in the Court Circular.

Kate, who was diagnosed with a form of the disease in February, has so far held a number of meetings and attended a ballet performance but none have been captured on camera.

William and Kate later posted pictures of the moment on their social media channels, along with the message: ‘A pleasure to meet with Liz at Windsor today.

“A talented young photographer whose creativity and strength has inspired us both. Thank you for sharing your photos and story with us, W&C.”

Liz replied online: “Such lovely, genuine and kind people. I’m over the moon that my family had this experience.”

Linking to the Kensington Palace account, which has 16.8 million followers, she added excitedly: “All my photos in this post!”

The teenager was joined by her mother Vicky Robayna, stepfather Aaron, and brother Mateo, who were also photographed with the prince and princess.

A royal spokesman said: “The prince found out about Liz through London’s Air Ambulance Charity of which he is patron and, following the investiture, both the Prince and Princess of Wales met Liz privately with her family to hear about her day and journey. The princess learned of Liz’s story and was keen to meet, alongside the prince, after the investiture.”

Liz was diagnosed with a desmoplastic small round cell tumour in January.

The cancer is so rare that just 12 cases are diagnosed in England each year and there is no standard care treatment.

She was given the diagnosis two days after visiting a GP with abdominal pain during the Christmas holidays and was told she has between six months and three years to live.

She has so far taken photos of the military, West End musicals and TV shows as part of her photography “bucket list”, which she is fitting around her own chemotherapy treatment.