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 cancer battle after being cheered on by the Princess of Wales is 'deeply saddened' after hearing of Kate's shock diagnosis.

Mila Sneddon from Falkirk, Scotland will reach out to the future queen 'privately' and in 'her own way', her mother has said. 

The schoolgirl won the Princess of Wales's heart after a photo of her in isolation while having treatment for leukaemia went viral during the Covid pandemic. 

Kate met the eight-year-old twice after she spotted an image of Mila gazing 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 given the all-clear 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 cancer battle after being cheered on by the Princess of Wales (pictured together in 2021) is 'deeply saddened' after hearing of the princess's diagnosis

Mila's mother has revealed her daughter's sadness and support for the Princess of Wales

Kate met the eight year old twice after she spotted an image of Mila gazing at her father through a window in March 2020

Now after Kate's shock announcement yesterday, Mila's mother Lynda Sneddon said on X: 'We are deeply saddened upon hearing the news about Catherine. 

'A kind and 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 post, Lynda added: 'We extend out love support and well wishes to William, George, Charlotte and Louis, and wish Catherine a peaceful speedy recovery #YouAreNotAlone @KensingtonRoyal.'

X user Sara replied to Lynda: ‘I just can’t imagine the sadness you are feeling at this time for Catherine and the family. I am 100% sure that Mila will be a part of the people that will help her healing! As Catherine did for Mila #YouAreNotAlone.'

Another X user LunaB added: ‘Princess Mila you are such a sweetie. You will definitely lift (the) Princess of Wales’ spirits.’

The Princess of Wales revealed in a deeply emotional message filmed at Windsor Castle that she had been diagnosed with cancer and was undergoing 'preventative chemotherapy'. 

She said the news had come as a 'huge shock' and that she and William 'have been doing everything we can to process and manage this privately for the sake of our young family'.

Kate underwent major adominal surgery in January but the cancer was only discovered during post-operative tests. 

The announcement yesterday came days after Kate was seen smiling with Prince William as they left their favourite farm shop close to their Windsor home.

The image saw her gazing at her father Scott, who had been forced to move out of the family home to protect his daughter, through a window.

 Mila coordinated with the Duchess of Cambridge by wearing a pink dress for their meeting at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh

Mila went on to meet 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 keep going to work during lockdown, came back to the house every day and stood in the garden to see Mila smile and blow her kisses while she endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy.

She was finally reunited with her father after seven weeks when he was furloughed from work and allowed to return home as a surprise without telling her after a period of isolation.

After spotting the moving image of Mila separated from Scott, the Princess of Wales decided to feature it as one of the 100 photos in her lockdown book, Hold Still.

The schoolgirl spent two years receiving multiple rounds of chemotherapy after she was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia - a type of cancer that affects white blood cells and requires immediate treatment - in November 2019 when she was four.

Mila first spoke to Kate on the phone after she rang the bell at the Team Jack Cancer Centre in April 2021 to mark the end of her treatment. 

They had their first meeting in-person in May 2021 at the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh and Mila said she was in awe when they both coordinated in pink princess dresses after discussing it in advance. 

The Princess of Wales told the schoolgirl: ‘Hi Mila, look at you. I want to give you a big squeezy cuddle, 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 carol service held at Westminster Abbey in December 2021.

The little girl's mother said the Duchess had a 'gentle soul' and had made Mila feel comfortable during their meetings.

Mila Sneddon, six, (pictured) from Falkirk, received a handwritten letter from the Duchess of Cambridge after ending her cancer treatment 

'Those moments made Mila feel really special and it was a good distraction from her treatment,' she added.

'Now she’s recognised as the happy little girl who met Kate Middleton and not the poor little girl with cancer.'

The schoolgirl has previously referred to the Duchess as her 'best friend'.

Ms Sneddon praised Kate on social media when she sent a 'beautifully' 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 (content of which will not be disclosed) such a lovely gesture thank you Catherine Duchess of Cambridge.'

Mila's mum also posted a photo of her beaming with the cherished letter. 

Kate's shock cancer announcement yesterday comes after Buckingham Palace revealed in February that King Charles is also battling the disease. 

He is underdoing a series of treatments and has currently stepped back from public duties.