The Prince and Princess of Wales have paid tribute to a father of two they met on an engagement after he tragically died of cancer.
Peter Morris, 47, died from cancer in May, weeks after Kate was diagnosed with the disease.
After hearing the news of his death, Prince William wrote a letter to Peter’s widow Tracey, expressing their sympathies and recalling when they met him while he was selling pizzas from a converted van in Wales.
In a letter read at Peter’s funeral, William wrote: “We can only begin to imagine what an immense hole he will leave in your life and my heart goes out to you and your family.
“Catherine and I thoroughly enjoyed meeting Pete and serving pizzas to everyone from the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team.
“We know that Pete was a hugely dedicated and highly valued member of the community which has been evident from the response to his passing.
“I hope you draw comfort from the knowledge of the impact he has had on so many people.”
He added: "I did want you to know just how much you and your family are in our thoughts at this time.”
The letter has had a powerful impact on Peter’s family, with his widow Tracey describing it “as a massive surprise”.
The 40-year-old told the Sun: “I don’t even know how they found out Pete had died. It may have hit a chord with them because Kate is going through treatment.
“He said how down to earth they were.
“We had so many letters from people who loved Pete but the one from William and Kate was very special.”
Kate and William bought over £125 worth of pizza from Peter’s converted VW van in April last year and handed out slices to Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team members on a visit to Dowlais Rugby Club, Merthyr Tydfil.
Following the encounter Peter, from south Wales, said: “When I was setting up the business it would have been beyond my wildest dreams that one day I would serve the future king.”
He had started Little Dragon Pizza Van in 2016.
Four months after Peter met the royals doctors found cancer in his adrenal gland and liver.
William’s letter will be framed for Pete’s daughters aged eight and five.
