Royal couple's tribute after pizza van owner death

The Prince and Princess of Wales visited the popular van to mark 60 years of the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team

The Prince and Princess of Wales have paid tribute to a pizza seller who died of cancer.

Peter Morris, owner of Little Dragon Pizza, died in May aged 47.

The royal couple met Mr Morris in April 2023 when they bought 12 pizzas for the Central Beacons Mountain Rescue Team during a visit to Dowlais Rugby Club, Merthyr Tydfil.

In a letter sent to his wife, Tracey, Prince William expressed sympathy from both himself and his wife, saying "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".

Mr Morris, from Beaufort in Ebbw Vale, set up a converted Volkswagen van to serve pizza on the Welsh moors in 2016.

Four months after the royal couple's visit, Mr Morris, who had previously beaten oesophageal cancer, was told that cancer had been found in his adrenal gland and liver.

A letter from the palace was delivered to Mr Morris's family following his death and read at his funeral, weeks after Catherine was diagnosed with the disease.

Little Dragon Pizza announced his death on Instagram in May, saying they were fortunate to call him a "boss and friend".

William sent a letter of condolence from Kensington Palace to Peter's widow Tracey

The letter from Kensington Palace read: "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 can draw knowledge from the impact he had on so many people," it added.

"You and your family are in our thoughts at such a difficult time."

The business added that it was "committed to continuing the hard work".