'Kate Middleton is a kind, caring soul': Mother of eight-year-old who ...

Kate Middleton cheered on little Mila Sneddon during her cancer battle. Now her mother Lynda has shared a message of support

The mother of an eight-year-old who was cheered on by the Princess of Wales during her own cancer battle has shared a message of support for the royal.

Kate Middleton left the world shocked and devastated after she revealed she is being treated for cancer in an emotional video message shared yesterday.

Lynda Sneddon was among those who paid tribute to the royal mother-of-three with a post on social media. The Scottish mother is the parent of little Mila Sneddon, who was a participant in Kate's Hold Still photography project and with whom the Princess has multiple meetings.

Posting on X, the site formerly known as Twitter, Lynda wrote, 'We are deeply saddened upon hearing the news about Catherine. A kind, caring soul who has always championed Mila both during and after her treatment.

‘Mila is equally sad to hear this news and will reach out privately in her own way.’

In a second message, she continued, ‘We extend our love, support and well wishes to William, George, Charlotte and Louis, and wish Catherine a speedy recovery.’

Mila was later invited to the Princess' Christmas carol service in London

Kate Middleton and Mila have met on a number of occasions, with Kate showing her support for the eight-year-old several times.

Their bond was first captured in a touching moment when the Princess met the then-four-year-old Mila from Falkirk, who featured in one of the final chosen photographs in the Kate’s Hold Still exhibition.

A post to the Princess’s Instagram account explained: ‘In the week prior to lockdown last year, Mila’s family took the difficult decision to isolate in different households to protect Mila, who at this point was only four months into her chemotherapy journey for leukaemia.

‘The Duchess spoke to Mila on the phone a few months ago following her image being selected as one of the final 100 for the #HoldStill2020 project - hoping one day that they’d meet and wear their pink dresses together.

‘Today, Mila and her family visited the Palace of Holyroodhouse to visit The Duchess for tea and a tour of the palace.’

In the accompanying video, Mila can be seen bursting with excitement when her mother, Lynda, tells her about the planned visit. The four-year-old – who told the Princess in their phone call that her favourite colour is pink – then dons a sparkly pink dress and tiara for her visit to the palace, where her family are led to a grand drawing room to await Kate’s arrival.

The Princess had previously promised Mila over the phone: ‘One day… we’ll get to meet, and then I’ll remember to wear my pink dress for you.’ Staying true to her word, Kate is shown in the video in a stunning pink silk midi dress by ME+EM, elegantly cinched at the waist with a pink belt. The Princess finished the look with stylish pink heels and a pink floral face mask, and wore her flowing brunette locks in a half-up, half-down style – looking every inch the modern-day Disney princess.

Kate tells a delighted Mila: ‘I love your dress! Can you give it a twirl?’ The beaming four-year-old shows the Princess her best spin, before Kate adds, ‘Wowzas.’

The clip enchanted the world at the time of it's release, and Kate's bond with the little girl was immediately obvious. The Princess then invited Mila to one of her Christmas carol concerts. In an interview, the schoolgirl previously referred to the Princess as her 'best friend'.

Lynda previously revealed how Kate had even gone on to write a handwritten letter for Mila as she reached the end of her treatment.

In a post on X, 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 (content of which will not be disclosed) such a lovely gesture thank you Catherine Duchess of Cambridge.’