The Duchess of Cambridge has been left saddened by the death of a teenage cancer patient she met on her recent tour of Malaysia.
Zakwan Anuar, 15, who had leukaemia, postponed a badly-needed blood transfusion for 24 hours and put himself through extra pain so he would not miss her visit.
Kate and William's trip to the Kuala Lumpur hospice brought a rare smile to the Zakwan's face before he died last Thursday.
His mother, Norizan Sulong, a lecturer in business studies, told the Sun newspaper: "We were next to him when he had his last moment. He was surrounded by his brother, sister, father, grandfather, grandmothers and schoolmates. I miss him terribly."
Zakwan celebrated his birthday a few days before the royal visit last month and summoned the strength to chat to the Duchess for around 15 minutes, telling her she was "very pretty" as she signed a birthday card for him. In reply she said he was "very, very brave" and "very handsome".
His mother said after the meeting that her son was normally very sleepy and in pain, crying, but during the visit it was if "the leukaemia had gone".
Kate, who is patron of a children's hospice charity in the UK, had specifically asked to visit the institution as part of the royal couple's nine-day Diamond Jubilee tour of the Far East and South Pacific, and chose the visit to make her first official speech on foreign soil.
A St James's Palace spokesman said: "The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge are saddened to hear of Zakwan's death. Their thoughts are with his family at this time."
Royal Tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge attends an official dinner given by His Majesty, The Yang di-Pertuan Agong at his official residence, the Istana Negara, in Kuala Lumpur.Hamidun. as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal Tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge attends an official dinner given by His Majesty, The Yang di-Pertuan Agong at his official residence, the Istana Negara, in Kuala Lumpur.Hamidun. as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal Tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend an official dinner given by His Majesty, The Yang di-Pertuan Agong at his official residence, the Istana Negara, in Kuala Lumpur.Hamidun. as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal Tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge attends an official dinner given by His Majesty, The Yang di-Pertuan Agong at his official residence, the Istana Negara, in Kuala Lumpur.Hamidun. as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal Tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend an official dinner given by His Majesty, The Yang di-Pertuan Agong at his official residence, the Istana Negara, in Kuala Lumpur.Hamidun. as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal Tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend an official dinner given by His Majesty, The Yang di-Pertuan Agong at his official residence, the Istana Negara, in Kuala Lumpur.Hamidun. as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal Tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge attends an official dinner given by His Majesty, The Yang di-Pertuan Agong at his official residence, the Istana Negara, in Kuala Lumpur.Hamidun. as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal Tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge attends an official dinner given by His Majesty, The Yang di-Pertuan Agong at his official residence, the Istana Negara, in Kuala Lumpur.Hamidun. as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge speaks with Zakwan Anuar, 15, and his mother, during a visit to the Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge speaks with Zakwan Anuar, 15, and his mother, during a visit to the Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge signs a birthday card for Zakwan Anuar, 15, watched by his mother, during a visit to the Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge signs a birthday card for Zakwan Anuar, 15, watched by his mother, during a visit to the Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
A carving in clay made by the Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to the Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
A carving in clay made by the Duke of Cambridge during a visit to the Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duchess of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge attends a lunch with the Prime Minister at his official residence, the Seri Perdana in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge at a visit to the Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend a lunch with the Prime Minister at his official residence, the Seri Perdana in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge attends a lunch with the Prime Minister at his official residence, the Seri Perdana in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duke of Cambridge speaks with Linges Warry Apparad, 14, during a visit to the Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duchess of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge creates a carving in clay during a visit to the Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
Zakwan Anuar, 15, holds up a birthday card signed by the Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to the Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge speaks with Zakwan Anuar, 15, during a visit to the Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge speaks with Zakwan Anuar, 15, during a visit to the Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge makes a speech during a visit to the Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge makes a speech during a visit to the Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Diamond Jubilee Tour - Day 3
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge is given flowers as they arrive for a lunch with Kuala Lumpur's Prime Minister at his official residence, the Seri Perdana on day 3 of the Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East on September 13, 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Diamond Jubilee Tour - Day 3
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge are given flowers as they arrive for a lunch with Kuala Lumpur's Prime Minister at his official residence, the Seri Perdana on day 3 of the Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East on September 13, 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Diamond Jubilee Tour - Day 3
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - SEPTEMBER 13: (L-R) Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak attend a lunch at the Prime Minister's official residence, the Seri Perdana on day 3 of the Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East on September 13, 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Diamond Jubilee Tour - Day 3
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge are given flowers as they arrive for a lunch with Kuala Lumpur's Prime Minister at his official residence, the Seri Perdana on day 3 of the Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East on September 13, 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Diamond Jubilee Tour - Day 3
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - SEPTEMBER 13: (L-R) Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge enjoy lunch at the Prime Minister's official residence, the Seri Perdana on day 3 of the Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East on September 13, 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Diamond Jubilee Tour - Day 3
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits Hospis Malaysia on day 3 of the Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East on September 13, 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Diamond Jubilee Tour - Day 3
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge (2R), Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, Prime Minister Najib Tun Razak and wife Rosmah Manso attend a lunch at the Prime Minister's official residence, the Seri Perdana on day 3 of the Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East on September 13, 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Diamond Jubilee Tour - Day 3
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge attend a lunch with Kuala Lumpur's Prime Minister at his official residence, the Seri Perdana on day 3 of the Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East on September 13, 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Diamond Jubilee Tour - Day 3
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Rosmah Mansor, wife of the Prime Minsister attend a lunch with Kuala Lumpur's Prime Minister at his official residence, the Seri Perdana on day 3 of the Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East on September 13, 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Diamond Jubilee Tour - Day 3
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge attends a lunch with Kuala Lumpur's Prime Minister at his official residence, the Seri Perdana on day 3 of the Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East on September 13, 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Diamond Jubilee Tour - Day 3
KUALA LUMPUR, MALAYSIA - SEPTEMBER 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits Hospis Malaysia on day 3 of the Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East on September 13, 2012 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. (Photo by Samir Hussein/WireImage)
Britain's Prince William and his wife Kate, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wave as they leave Hospis Malaysia in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Thursday, Sept. 13, 2012. Prince William and Kate are in Malaysia for a three-day visit as part of a tour to mark Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. (AP Photo/Mark Baker)
Royal tour of the Far East and South Pacific - Day Three
The Duchess of Cambridge during a visit to the Kranji War Memorial in Singapore, as part of a nine-day tour of the Far East and South Pacific, with the Duke of Cambridge, in honour of the Queen's Diamond Jubilee.
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Tour Southeast Asia - Day 3
SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge glances back at war graves as she leaves Kranji Commonwealth War Cemetery on day 3 of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East on September 13, 2012 in Singapore. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge are on a Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East taking in Singapore, Malaysia, the Solomon Islands and the tiny Pacific Island of Tuvalu. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
SINGAPORE-BRITAIN-ROYALS
Britain's Prince William (L) and his wife Catherine (R), the Duchess of Cambridge, visit the Kranji War Memorial to pay their respects to those lost during WWII in Singapore on September 13, 2012. Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine arrived in Singapore on September 11 to kick off a nine-day Southeast Asian and Pacific tour marking Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. AFP PHOTO / POOL / Nicolas ASFOURI (Photo credit should read NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/GettyImages)
SINGAPORE-BRITAIN-ROYALS
Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, visits the Kranji War Memorial with her husband, Britain's Prince William (not pictured), to pay their respects to those lost during WWII in Singapore on September 13, 2012. Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine arrived in Singapore on September 11 to kick off a nine-day Southeast Asian and Pacific tour marking Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. AFP PHOTO / POOL / Nicolas ASFOURI (Photo credit should read NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/GettyImages)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Tour Southeast Asia - Day 3
SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits Kranji Commonwealth War Cemetery on day 3 of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's Diamond Jubilee Tour of South East Asia on September 13, 2012 in Singapore. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge are on a Diamond Jubilee Tour of South East Asia and the South Pacific taking in Singapore, Malaysia, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Tour Southeast Asia - Day 3
SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge and Prince William, Duke of Cambridge visit Kranji Commonwealth War Cemetery on day 3 of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's Diamond Jubilee Tour of South East Asia on September 13, 2012 in Singapore. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge are on a Diamond Jubilee Tour of South East Asia and the South Pacific taking in Singapore, Malaysia, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
SINGAPORE-BRITAIN-ROYALS
Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, visits the Kranji War Memorial with her husband, Britain's Prince William (not pictured), to pay their respects to those lost during WWII in Singapore on September 13, 2012. Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine arrived in Singapore on September 11 to kick off a nine-day Southeast Asian and Pacific tour marking Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. AFP PHOTO / POOL / Nicolas ASFOURI (Photo credit should read NICOLAS ASFOURI/AFP/GettyImages)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Tour Southeast Asia - Day 3
SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge is photographed by members of the public as she visits Kranji Commonwealth War Cemetery on day 3 of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's Diamond Jubilee Tour of South East Asia on September 13, 2012 in Singapore. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge are on a Diamond Jubilee Tour of South East Asia and the South Pacific taking in Singapore, Malaysia, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
SINGAPORE-BRITAIN-ROYALS
People gather to get a glipse of Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine, the Duchess of Cambridge, during their visit to the Kranji Memorial Cemetery in Singapore on September 13, 2012. Britain's Prince William and his wife Catherine arrived in Singapore on September 11 to kick off a nine-day Southeast Asian and Pacific tour marking Queen Elizabeth II's Diamond Jubilee. AFP PHOTO / ROSLAN RAHMAN (Photo credit should read ROSLAN RAHMAN/AFP/GettyImages)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Tour Southeast Asia - Day 3
SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits Kranji Commonwealth War Cemetery on day 3 of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's Diamond Jubilee Tour of South East Asia on September 13, 2012 in Singapore. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge are on a Diamond Jubilee Tour of South East Asia and the South Pacific taking in Singapore, Malaysia, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Tour Southeast Asia - Day 3
SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 13: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visit the Kranji War Memorial during their Diamond Jubilee tour on September 13, 2012 in Singapore. (Photo by Nicky Loh/Getty Images)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Tour Southeast Asia - Day 3
SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits Kranji Commonwealth War Cemetery on day 3 of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's Diamond Jubilee Tour of South East Asia on September 13, 2012 in Singapore. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge are on a Diamond Jubilee Tour of South East Asia and the South Pacific taking in Singapore, Malaysia, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Tour Southeast Asia - Day 3
SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 13: Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge visits Kranji Commonwealth War Cemetery on day 3 of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's Diamond Jubilee Tour of South East Asia on September 13, 2012 in Singapore. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge are on a Diamond Jubilee Tour of South East Asia and the South Pacific taking in Singapore, Malaysia, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu. (Photo by Chris Jackson/Getty Images)
The Duke And Duchess Of Cambridge Tour Southeast Asia - Day 3
SINGAPORE - SEPTEMBER 13: Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge tour the Kranji War Memorial on day 3 of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge's Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East on September 13, 2012 in Singapore. Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge are on a Diamond Jubilee Tour of the Far East taking in Singapore, Malaysia, the Solomon Islands and the tiny Pacific Island of Tuvalu. (Photo by Chris McGrath/Getty Images)
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PA/Huffington Post UK | Posted: 01/10/2012 12:49 Updated: 01/10/2012 12:49