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 wrote a touching tribute to Peter Morris, owner of the Little Dragon Pizza Van, according to U.K. newspaper The Sun.
Per the outlet, William, 42, sent a letter of condolence on Kensington Palace notepaper to Peter’s widow Tracey, which was read out at his funeral.
“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,” the letter read.
“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,” the letter continued. “I did want you to know just how much you and your family are in our thoughts at this time.”
Little Dragon Pizza Van/Facebook
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.
Samir Hussein/WireImage
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, 42, announced her own cancer diagnosis on March 22, just two months before Peter’s death.
Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty
According to The Sun, Peter had overcome oesophageal cancer, but four months after he met Kate and 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.
