Madeleine McCann: 16th Anniversary

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Madeleine McCann's younger sister Amelie, 18, speaks publicly for the first time at candle ceremony to mark 16 years since her disappearance, calling it 'a sad occasion'

   This is the first time Amelie McCann has been pictured since she was a child
   Amelie said: 'It's nice that everyone is here together but it's a sad occasion'

By Tracey Kandohla and Natasha Anderson

Published: 22:07, 3 May 2023 | Updated: 09:36, 4 May 2023

Madeleine McCann's younger sister spoke publicly for the first time last night as her family marked the poignant 16th anniversary of the toddler's disappearance.

Maddie vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz in Portugal in May 2007 when she was just three.

Her sister Amelie, now 18, joined her parents and well-wishers last night at a candle service dedicated to her. She said: 'It's nice that everyone is here together, but it's a sad occasion.'

It was the first time Amelie, who is applying to go to university, has been pictured since she was a toddler - giving a glimpse of what her older sibling may look like as an adult.

The vigil came two weeks after a German court decided not to hear a sex offences case against a man who is a suspect in Madeleine's disappearance.

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Madeleine McCann's sister Amelie, 18, (right) lit a candle in her memory as she joined her parents and well-wishers on the poignant 16th anniversary of the toddler's disappearance

Amelie, with her long blonde hair and casually dressed in navy leggings, trainers and cream puffa jacket, was warmly welcomed along with Kate and Gerry by locals and supporters during an informal prayer gathering in their home village of Rothley, Leicestershire.

Her twin brother Sean did not attend.

Kate's close friend Fiona Payne, one of her 'Tapas Seven' pals who was on the fateful holiday in Portugal when Maddie vanished, was among the crowd.

Maddie's parents had been having a tapas meal with friends when Maddie was abducted from their apartment just yards away.

Amelie took her turn to light a candle for Maddie and other missing children at the war memorial, where pictures of her sister adorned the black railing and where a lantern of hope still glows around the clock for her.

Kate, wearing black jeans and a blue jacket, joined in prayers but neither she nor Gerry addressed the crowds.

Repeat:  Amelie, with her long blonde hair and casually dressed in navy leggings, trainers and cream puffa jacket, was warmly welcomed along with Kate and Gerry by locals and supporters during an informal prayer gathering in their home village of Rothley, Leicestershire.

Her twin brother Sean did not attend.

Kate's close friend Fiona Payne, one of her 'Tapas Seven' pals who was on the fateful holiday in Portugal when Maddie vanished, was among the crowd.

Maddie's parents had been having a tapas meal with friends when Maddie was abducted from their apartment just yards away.

Amelie took her turn to light a candle for Maddie and other missing children at the war memorial, where pictures of her sister adorned the black railing and where a lantern of hope still glows around the clock for her.

Kate, wearing black jeans and a blue jacket, joined in prayers but neither she nor Gerry addressed the crowds.

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 Awkward !!!

Missing Madeleine McCann's sister finally breaks silence

This viral story of a missing girl has re-surfaced again and here's why...

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The viral story of the kidnapping of Madeleine McCann has us heartbroken. The open case that has been on-going for about 16 years has resurfaced on the internet.

Madeleine McCann went missing from Portugal's Praia da Luz seaside resort on 3 May 2007 when she was three years old. Her story resurfaces annually, but there has been no major progress made in the case.

There have been rumours that one social media user is the missing girl. This has sparked reactions from people all over the internet.

Read More: 'New evidence' in Madeleine McCann case: prosecutor

After 16 years's of silence, Madeleine's sister has finally chosen to speak out on the heart wrenching incident.

At a vigil marking the anniversary, Amelie, now aged 18, said: “It's nice that everyone is here together but it's a sad occasion.”

An informal prayer meeting was attended by about 70 people and took place in the family's home village of Rothley in Leicestershire.

The family shares: “Today marks the 16th anniversary of Madeleine’s abduction. Still missing .. still very much missed. It is hard to find the words to convey how we feel.”

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Stacey Norman has been following this story closely, especially since new evidence has been shared.

"I can't even fathom what this must be like for the parents," Stacey shares.

Listen to what Stacey's thoughts and theories on the matter are below:

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To further your understanding on the situation, ECR News reports:

Madeleine's disappearance sparked a huge man-hunt and an international media frenzy, with photographs of Maddie plastered across billboards and news bulletins.

Last month, Portuguese authorities joined German prosecutors in declaring a convicted German rapist the prime suspect in her disappearance.

To read more about this developing story, click here.

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