Girl, eight, who won lockdown cancer battle after being cheered by Kate Middleton during her own fight with the disease is ‘deeply saddened’ by princess’s diagnosis – as her mother says youngster ‘will reach out’ to royal
An eight-year-old girl who won her own battle with cancer after being cheered on by the Princess of Wales has been left ‘deeply saddened’ after hearing of Kate’s shock diagnosis.
Mila Sneddon of Falkirk, Scotland will contact the future queen “privately” and in “her own way,” her mother said.
The schoolgirl won the heart of the Princess of Wales after a photo of her in isolation while receiving treatment for leukemia went viral during the Covid pandemic.
Kate met the eight-year-old twice after seeing an image of Mila staring at her father through a window in March 2020.
The Princess of Wales even sent the eight-year-old a handwritten note after she was completely free from the disease two years ago. They met twice in 2021: once at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh and then at Westminster Abbey.
Mila Sneddon, who won her own battle with cancer after being cheered on by the Princess of Wales (pictured together in 2021), is ‘deeply saddened’ after hearing of the Princess’ diagnosis
Mila’s mother has revealed her daughter’s grief and support for the Princess of Wales
Kate met the eight-year-old twice after seeing an image of Mila staring at her father through a window in March 2020
Following Kate’s shocking announcement yesterday, Mila’s mother Lynda Sneddon said on X: ‘We are deeply saddened to hear the news about Catherine.
‘A kind and caring soul who always supported Mila, both during and after her treatment.
‘Mila is equally sad to hear this news and will reach out in her own way.’
In a second message, Lynda added: ‘We offer our loving support and well wishes to William, George, Charlotte and Louis, wishing Catherine a peaceful, speedy recovery #YouAreNotAlone @KensingtonRoyal.’
X user Sara replied to Lynda: “I can’t imagine the sadness you feel for Catherine and the family right now. I am 100% sure that Mila will be part of the people who will help her heal! Like Catherine did for Mila #YouAreNotAlone.”
Another X user LunaB added: “Princess Mila, you are such a sweetheart. You will certainly cheer up the Princess of Wales.”
The Princess of Wales revealed she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing ‘preventive chemotherapy’ in a deeply emotional message filmed at Windsor Castle.
She said the news had come as a “huge shock” and that she and William have “done everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family.”
Kate underwent major surgery on her abdomen in January, but the cancer was only discovered during post-operative tests.
The announcement yesterday came days after Kate was spotted laughing with Prince William as they left their favorite farm shop near their home in Windsor.
The image saw her staring through a window at her father Scott, who was forced to leave the family home to protect his daughter.
Mila coordinated with the Duchess of Cambridge by wearing a pink dress during their meeting at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh
Mila met the Duchess, first at Holyroodhouse in May 2021, where she also met Prince William.
Mila was kept away from her father Scott and sister Jodie at the height of the Covid pandemic to stay healthy.
Scott, who had to continue working during lockdown, returned home every day and stood in the garden to watch Mila smile and blow kisses as she underwent multiple chemotherapy treatments.
She was finally reunited with her father after seven weeks, when he was given leave from work and surprisingly allowed to return home without telling her after a period of isolation.
After seeing the moving image of Mila separated from Scott, the Princess of Wales decided to include it as one of 100 photos in her lockdown book, Hold Still.
The schoolgirl underwent multiple rounds of chemotherapy for two years after being diagnosed with acute lymphocytic leukemia – a form of cancer that attacks white blood cells and requires immediate treatment – in November 2019, when she was four.
Mila spoke to Kate on the phone for the first time after she rang the Team Jack Cancer Center doorbell in April 2021 to mark the end of her treatment.
They had their first in-person meeting in May 2021 at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh and Mila said she was impressed when they both coordinated pink princess dresses after discussing it beforehand.
The Princess of Wales said to the schoolgirl: ‘Hello Mila, look at you. I want to give you a big squeeze hug, it’s so nice to meet you in person.’
Mila was then given a second chance to meet Kate and the royal family at the Together At Christmas community song service held at Westminster Abbey in December 2021.
The little girl’s mother said the Duchess had a “gentle soul” and that Mila had felt comfortable during their meetings.
Mila Sneddon, six, (pictured) from Falkirk, received a handwritten letter from the Duchess of Cambridge after finishing her cancer treatment
“Those moments made Mila feel very special and it was a good distraction from her treatment,” she added.
‘Now she is recognized as the happy little girl who met Kate Middleton, and not as the poor girl with cancer.’
The schoolgirl previously called the Duchess her ‘best friend’.
Mrs Sneddon praised Kate on social media as she sent a ‘beautiful’ handwritten letter to mark her daughter reaching the end of her treatment.
She said: ‘Very grateful to receive a beautiful handwritten letter from @KensingtonRoyal. Such a beautiful keepsake for Mila to look back on for many years to come (the contents of which will not be made public). What a lovely gesture, thank you Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge.”
Mila’s mother also posted a photo of herself beaming with the beloved letter.
Kate’s cancer announcement yesterday comes after Buckingham Palace revealed in February that King Charles is also battling the disease.
He is undergoing a series of treatments and has currently stepped away from his public duties.