Madeleine McCann’s parents missed a prayer vigil tonight on the poignant 17th anniversary of her disappearance, when a young Polish girl who insists she is Maddie strangely turned up.
A family member said Kate and Gerry were at a secret location on a “much-needed” long weekend.
A message from them was read during an informal gathering of friends and supporters and they apologized for not being present.
Read by the vicar Reverend Robert Gladstone of the local parish church, it began: “Good evening, we are sorry that we cannot be with you tonight, but we thank you for coming together and wanting to share your hope for Madeleine and other missing children.” .
‘It’s been 17 years since Madeleine was taken from us. “It’s hard to even say that number without shaking your head in disbelief.”
Madeleine McCann disappeared at the age of three from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal
Kate and Gerry McCann pictured together during an interview with the BBC in April 2017.
Julia Wendell, is known as ‘Maddie faker’. She listened attentively during the vigil after having traveled from Poland to attend the event (pictured).
The small service was held at Rothley Baptist Church to mark the 17th anniversary of Madeleine’s disappearance.
Those attending Friday night’s vigil paid tribute and some lit candles during the event.
Echoing words they had previously posted on social media, they added: “Although we are fortunate in many ways and can now live a relatively normal and pleasant life, ‘living in limbo’ is still very disturbing.” And the absence still hurts.’
Unexpected visitor Julia Wendell, 22, known as ‘phony Maddie’, accompanied by friend Robert Zyla, listened attentively, holding a letter she had desperately hoped to deliver to the McCanns.
He later spoke of his “disappointment” at not being present and said that regarding his mission and that he had traveled from Poland, he had a question for them.
After the 45-minute service, she said: ‘I’m Madeleine McCann. I have never stopped believing it and I came here because I want to ask Kate and Gerry to take a DNA test.
“They have done nothing to prove that I am not their daughter.” And she added: ‘No, I’m not crazy. I am not a liar.’
Later, his relatives and church representatives learned of his presence.
A crowd of 50 packed the Baptist Church in his home village of Rothley, Leicestershire; The informal meeting was held inside and not outside the war memorial, as usual, due to heavy rain.
Among them were Kate’s uncle, retired director Brian Kennedy and his wife Janet, who read verses.
Mr Kennedy said: “We increasingly hope that this annual occasion will be the last.” The search for Madeleine continues.’
Adults and children then lit candles in Maddie’s memory and prayers were said.
Supporters also read mantras including “Never give up,” “don’t forget about me,” “still gone, still missed” and “all children are precious.”
The McCanns are clinging to a glimmer of hope that their daughter, who would now be 20, almost 21, may still be alive.
Members of the congregation gather during the Friday service, which Kate and Gerry McCann did not attend.
Wendell claims he wanted to deliver a letter to the McCanns and request a DNA test.
Madeleine McCann, who disappeared at age 3 in 2007, will turn 21 this month
The latest public anniversary gathering comes at an awkward time, as the prime suspect in Maddie’e’s disappearance, Christian Brueckner, has been put on trial for horrific unrelated sex crimes.
German police are convinced Maddie is dead and intend to charge the main suspect, Brueckner, sensationally named almost four years ago, with her “bodyless” kidnapping and murder.
The convicted pedophile is currently on trial in his native Germany for five unrelated rapes and sexual crimes, three of which involve minors.
Brueckner, 47, is also serving time for the rape of an elderly American tourist in the same Praia da Luz resort from which Maddie was kidnapped.
Mr Kennedy, Maddie’s great-uncle, said he was “heartened by the people who turned out on an extremely unpleasant rainy night”.
He said: ‘Kate and Gerry left, they didn’t tell me where and I didn’t ask, and it’s a bit of a shock.
“But they work very hard and really needed a break.”
Gerry, 55, is a renowned cardiologist, while former GP Kate, 56, is now a medical worker.
It is not known if they have also taken their 19-year-old twins Seam and Amelie.
Later, Mrs. Kennedy went to greet Julia and heard that a visitor from Poland was present, but not realizing that she was an impersonator.
She said: ‘Please help me meet Kate and Gerry. “I’m very disappointed they’re not here.”
He gave him a letter, which was taken by the vicar and they assured him that it would be passed on to him.
Julia became famous last February after insisting she was the missing British girl in fake social media posts under her username ‘@IamMadeleineMcCann’.
But he was convinced to take a DNA test and the results conclusively showed that she was not related to Madeleine.
Accompanied by a friend, Robert Zyla, Wendell listened intently to the vigil holding a letter she had desperately hoped to deliver to the McCanns. Pictured during a BBC interview.
He later revealed that he regrets making those claims online after receiving torrents of abuse and death threats in the wake of his headline-grabbing stunt.
But tonight she insisted: “I am Madeleine McCann and I will prove it.”
British police have just received new funding of almost £200,000 from the Home Office to keep their investigation, dubbed Operation Grange, going.
So far Scotland Yard’s 13-year investigation, which officers continue to treat as a missing persons case, has cost the taxpayer a staggering £13.2 million.
A Home Office spokesperson has confirmed: ‘Ministers have approved a request to provide up to £192,000 for Operation Grange in 2024-25, in line with our special grants processes.
“The total figure is just under £13.2m since 2011.”
Maddie disappeared from a holiday apartment in the popular Algarve resort of Luz while she was left sleeping alone with her young twin brothers.
At the time, their parents were having dinner with friends at a nearby tapas restaurant while conducting regular checks on the children for half an hour.
The McCans have previously said: “We will never give up hope of finding Madeleine alive, but whatever the outcome, we need to know because we need to find peace.”