The Royals Honor Teen's Memory

Kate Middleton and Prince William Honor Teen Liz Hatton's Death

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have paid tribute to a 19-year-old who died after falling ill with meningitis during a gap year in Indonesia.

Liz's Story

Liz Hatton, from Hertfordshire, contracted the bacterial infection in March and died less than a week later in hospital in Bali.

Her parents, Elaine and Tim, said they were "heartbroken beyond belief" by her death.

In a letter to Liz's family, Kate and William expressed their "deepest condolences for your tragic loss".

"We can only imagine the pain and sadness you are going through," the letter said.

Liz's family have set up a charity in her memory to raise awareness of meningitis and fund research into the disease.

The Liz Hatton Fund has already raised over £100,000.

"We are so grateful to the Duke and Duchess for their support," Elaine Hatton said.

"It means a lot to us to know that they are thinking of us at this difficult time."

Meningitis is a serious bacterial infection of the meninges, the membranes that surround the brain and spinal cord.

The disease can be fatal within 24 hours, and even if treated quickly, it can leave survivors with long-term disabilities.

"We want to do everything we can to raise awareness of meningitis and prevent other families from going through what we have," Tim Hatton said.

The Liz Hatton Fund is working to raise £1 million to fund research into meningitis and provide support to families affected by the disease.

The charity is also working to raise awareness of the signs and symptoms of meningitis.