The girl who stole the Princess of Wales’s heart during her own battle with cancer sent her a touching message urging Kate to “fight like I did”.
Mila Sneddon, 8, from Falkirk, Scotland, was “deeply saddened” by the princess’ shock diagnosis and gave her own rallying cry to Kate saying “you will be brave because I was.”
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, 42, met Mila twice after she saw an image of the girl looking 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 discharged from the illness two years ago. They met twice in 2021: once at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh for tea, where Kate kept her promise to wear Mila’s favorite color, pink.
Mila Sneddon, 8, from Falkirk, Scotland, was “deeply saddened” by the princess’ shock diagnosis and launched her own rallying cry at Kate.
They met twice in 2021 – once at Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh (pictured) for tea, where Kate kept her promise to wear Mila’s favorite colour, pink.
And then at Westminster Abbey for the Christmas concert, where Mila was invited to read a prayer.
Mila has now sent her own message of support to her “best friend” Kate, as she told the Sunday Mail: “You will be brave because I was and you will fight like I did.”
The princess and Mila struck up a friendship when the girl was photographed kissing her father through a window while shielding while undergoing intensive chemotherapy for leukemia during lockdown.
The photograph, titled Shielding Mila, was taken by her mother Lynda and was one of 100 images included in Kate’s book Hold Still: A Portrait of Our Nation in 2020.
Mila was separated from her father during the first lockdown because he had to continue working and couldn’t risk bringing Covid-19 into the family home.
Kate and Mila spoke on the phone after the image was among the 100 selected for the Hold Still exhibition and book.
During the sweet conversation, Mila began the call by saying, “Good morning, Your Royal Highness,” prompting Kate to respond, “Good morning.” My God, you are so polite, Mila.
Mila excitedly told Kate that she likes walking her dog, that she knows the names of all of her children and William, and that she likes the color pink, prompting the princess to promise that she would wear a pink dress if they met.
Mila with Kate at Westminster Abbey for the 2021 Christmas Concert, where the little one was invited to read a prayer
Kate sent Mila a “beautifully” handwritten letter when she was declared cancer-free, which her mother Lynda said was “such a lovely gesture.”
Mila speaks with Prince William and Catherine as she and her family attend a beating retreat run by The Massed Pipes and Drums of the Combined Cadet Force in Scotland as special guests.
When they met, Kate told the young woman she wanted to give her a “big hug.”
Kate and Mila spoke on the phone after the image was among the 100 selected for the Hold Still exhibition and book.
The princess kept her promise when she welcomed Mila for tea at Holyroodhouse in 2022 and they both wore pink dresses.
When they met, Kate told the young woman she wanted to give her a “big hug.”
Kate sent Mila a “beautifully” handwritten letter when she was declared cancer-free, which her mother Lynda said was “such a lovely gesture.”
It is now reported that the schoolgirl plans to make a greetings card to wish Kate a speedy recovery.
Lynda, 40, said Kate’s announcement on Friday that she was receiving “preventive chemotherapy” treatment came on the second anniversary of Mila’s remission.
Mrs Sneddon told the Sunday Mirror: “We were out shopping when we heard the news. Mila turned to me and said she wanted to make Kate a card and send it. “Mila will then get in touch privately.
‘Kate showed Mila so much compassion, care and support during and after treatment. So it has been very emotional to see that she now faces her own health problems.”
He continued: “Cancer is like a community and a club that no one wants to be in.”
The princess and Mila struck up a friendship when the girl was photographed kissing her father through a window while shielding while undergoing intensive chemotherapy for leukemia during lockdown.
When the pandemic hit, parents Lynda and Scott decided to isolate separately to minimize the risk to their daughter. In the photo, the tearful reunion of Scott and Mila.
“We are very sad to hear that she has joined the club, but the Sneddons are fully behind her and we wish her the best.
“We have nothing but admiration for her for being able to come out and tell her story publicly.”
The type of cancer Kate suffers from has not been revealed, but in her statement the princess stressed that she is “well and stronger every day.”
Both she and the Prince of Wales are said to be “hugely moved” and “extremely touched” by the public’s warmth and support following the announcement.