Princess Kate Receives Touching Message From Eight-Year-Old Former Cancer Patient
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Eight-year-old former cancer patient Mila Sneddon has a message for Princess Kate as the royal battles cancer: She is strong, and she is not alone.
Mila first met the Princess of Wales in 2021, after the youngster had been diagnosed with leukemia, and has since developed a sweet relationship with Kate. The child shared a heartfelt message with the princess on March 22.
“She will be brave because I was, and she will fight it like I did,” Mila told the Mirror. She added: “I hope she feels better soon and I wish her a speedy recovery.”
Mila’s mom, Lynda Sneddon, had her own kind words for the princess, telling the outlet, “[Kate] is a mom, a wife, she is young, beautiful, athletic and she is facing this. It shows cancer doesn’t discriminate; it can affect anyone at any time. We wish her a peaceful and speedy recovery.”
Kate asked to meet Mila in 2021 after seeing a photo of the sick girl looking at her father, Scott, through a window while receiving chemotherapy during the Covid-19 lockdown. The royal included the image in her photo book Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020. Their first touching meeting happened at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh, where Kate wore Mila’s favorite color, pink, per the girl’s request, and had a butler serve cereal when Mila said she was hungry. They met a second time at Kate’s annual Westminster Abbey Christmas Carol Service in 2021, where Mila was invited to read a prayer.
Mila was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia at age four and was declared cancer free two years ago. “Kate’s statement came out on Mila’s two-year anniversary in remission,” mom Lynda said. “Mila turned to me and told me she wanted to make and send Kate a card. So Mila will make contact in her own private way. Kate showed Mila such compassion, care, and support both during and post-treatment, so it’s been very emotional to see she is now facing her own health struggles.”
Kate shared the news of her diagnosis on Friday in an emotional video posted to Kensington Palace’s social media accounts. In it, she explained that doctors had found the presence of cancer after she underwent abdominal surgery in January. “The surgery was successful; however, tests after the operation found cancer had been present,” she said. “My medical team therefore advised that I should undergo a course of preventative chemotherapy, and I am now in the early stages of that treatment.”
Kate concluded the message by showing her support for others impacted by cancer: “At this time, I am also thinking of all those whose lives have been affected by cancer. For everyone facing this disease, in whatever form, please do not lose faith or hope. You are not alone.”
On March 23, Princess Kate and Prince William released their first joint statement since she broke the news. “The prince and princess are both enormously touched by the kind messages from people here in the U.K., across the Commonwealth, and around the world in response to Her Royal Highness’s message,” the statement from a Kensington Palace spokesperson obtained by Harper’s Bazaar read. “They are extremely moved by the public’s warmth and support, and are grateful for the understanding of their request for privacy at this time.”
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