UNBREAKABLE BOND

Perfectly in step, Prince William and Kate show the world they're more in love than ever

- REPORT: TRACY SCHAVERIEN

Hosting their first garden party of the year at Buckingham Palace, the Prince and Princess of Wales made a stylish duo.

William, 42, looked dapper in a top hat and tails, while Kate, 43, was the picture of elegance in a butter-yellow Emilia Wickstead crêpe dress teamed with a matching hat by Philip Treacy and Gianvito Rossi pumps. As well, in a roman-tic nod to her 14-year marriage, the princess added the Robinson Pelham earrings she'd worn on their April 2011 wedding day. The pair – which features diamond-set oak leaves with an acorn sparkler suspended in the cen-tre – was a gift from her parents, Carole and Michael Middleton.

Descending the palace steps, Kate and Wil-liam exchanged loving smiles before mingling with throngs of excited partygoers who had been invited for tea and cake in the palace grounds.

BITTERSWEET REUNION

Among the 7,500 guests were the family of young photographer Liz Hatton, who passed away from a rare form of cancer in November at age 17. Just weeks before her death, the cour-ageous teen had met William and Kate at Windsor Castle, where she was invited to fulfil a bucket-list ambition by photographing the Prince of Wales at an investiture.

Spotting Liz's mother, Vicky, with her hus-band and son, the princess – who is in remission from cancer – greeted her with a warm hug as the bereaved mom proceeded to tell Kate how she and William had brightened her daughter's last weeks of life.

"You changed her life for the better; you changed ours, too, because our memories are all positive," said Vicky, who has created a charity, Capture, to support people suffering from desmoplastic small round cell tumour – the cancer that claimed Liz's life.

"If you need any help fundraising, maybe I can help," the princess told her. "Please stay in touch – really." The event marked Kate's first royal garden party in two years.