Kate Middleton and Prince William Pen ‘Surprise’ Letter Mourning Cancer Death of Pizza Seller They Met Last Year

The Prince and Princess of Wales met Peter Morris during an outing in Wales, and their letter to his family was read at his funeral

Prince William and Kate Middleton. Photo: Samir Hussein – Pool/WireImage

Kate Middleton and Prince William have paid tribute to a pizza seller who they met during an outing in Wales last year following his death from cancer at the age of 47.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 42, wrote a touching tribute to Peter Morris, owner of the Little Dragon Pizza Van, according to U.K. newspaper The Sun.

Per the outlet, Prince William sent a letter of condolence on Kensington Palace stationary to Peter’s widow, Tracey, which was read at his funeral.

“I wanted to write to express how terribly sorry Catherine and I were to hear the very sad news about your husband, Pete, and to send you our deepest sympathies,” Prince William said in the note. “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.”

“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,” he continued. “I hope you can draw comfort from the knowledge of the impact he has had on so many people.”

“I appreciate that this letter alone can be of little comfort under such circumstance, but I did want you to know just how much you and your family are in our thoughts at such a difficult time,” the royal concluded. At the bottom of the letter, he handwrote, “With my deepest condolences, William.”

Peter Morris in his Little Dragon pizza van.Little Dragon Pizza Van/Facebook

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According to The Sun, the letter will be framed for Peter’s daughters, who are 5 and 8.

His widow Tracey, 40, told the outlet that the kind gesture from the royals “came as a massive surprise.”

“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,” Tracey said, per The Sun.

“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,” she added.

Prince William and Kate Middleton with Peter Morris at the Little Dragon pizza van.Samir Hussein/WireImage

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The Little Dragon Pizza Van’s Instagram account announced Peter’s death in late May alongside a black-and-white of him at work.

“We are saddened to inform you about the loss of our owner, Peter Morris,” the post began, adding that Peter started the business in 2016.

“We were fortunate to call him as our boss and friend. His contagious passion will be remembered. We are committed to continuing the hard work he invested his time in and do him proud,” the post continued.

Kate publicly announced her own cancer diagnosis on March 22, just two months before Peter’s death.

Prince William and Kate Middleton with Peter Morris at the Little Dragon pizza van.Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty

According to The Sun, Peter had overcome oesophageal cancer, but four months after he met Princess Kate and Prince William, doctors discovered the disease in his adrenal gland and liver.

The royal couple met Peter in April 2023 when they bought pizza for members of the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team, who risk their lives helping to keep walkers and climbers on the nearby mountain range safe.

The couple ordered 22 pizzas from the Little Dragon Pizza Van, including pepperoni, margherita, barbecue chicken and goats’ cheese.

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Speaking to PEOPLE following his royal meeting, Peter told PEOPLE at the time, “The princess asked if we make our own dough and said that they love making pizzas with their children,” referring to Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6.

“Making pizza for the future king and queen is surreal,” Peter, who served Kate and William with his colleague Sharon Stokes, added.

“Prince William said he’d heard of us — which is quite surreal,” Peter continued. “People come from far and wide — it’s the quality of the food and the views!”

PEOPLE has reached out to Little Dragon Pizza Van for additional comment.