William and Kate write moving funeral tribute to pizza-seller they met on engagement after his death from cancer aged 47

THE PRINCE and Princess of Wales wrote a moving funeral tribute to a pizza-seller they met when buying a stack for mountain rescue workers.

Dad-of-two Peter Morris, 47, died from cancer in May, just weeks after Kate was diagnosed with the disease.

Prince William sent a letter of condolence on Kensington Palace notepaper to his widow Tracey. It was read out at his funeral.

He 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.

“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 did want you to know just how much you and your family are in our thoughts at this time.”

Kate and Wills met Peter, from Ebbw Vale, South Wales, when they spent £127.50 on 12 pizzas from his converted VW van in April last year.

They handed out a selection of margarita, pepperoni, BBQ chicken and goats cheese pizzas to Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team on a visit to Dowlais Rugby Club, Merthyr Tydfil.

Speaking at the time, Peter said: “They were really nice. When I was setting up the business it would have been beyond my wildest dreams that one day I would serve the future king.”

Pete started Little Dragon Pizza Van, in 2016.

He had beaten oesophageal cancer but four months after his royal appointment doctors found the disease in his adrenal gland and liver. He was dead in less than a year, but the business continues.

William’s letter will be framed for Pete’s daughters aged eight and five.

Tracey, 40, told The Sun: “It 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.

“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.”