Madeleine McCann's younger sister has spoken out for the first time on the 16th anniversary of her disappearance.
On May 3, 2007, three-year-old Madeleine mysteriously vanished from a vacation apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, while her parents - Kate and Gerry McCann - were at a nearby restaurant.
The case gripped the world, with Portuguese and British authorities setting up expansive search parties and several appeals in the following years. However, there has been no trace of her whereabouts.
Now, more than a decade and a half later, her 18-year-old sister Amelie along with her parents were joined by locals at a candle service in their home village of Rothley, Leicestershire.
As reported by The Telegraph, Amelie shared an emotional statement, saying: "It’s nice that everyone is here together but it’s a sad occasion." Her twin brother Sean did not attend.
It is the first time the teenager - who is applying for university - has been pictured in public as an adult. She was joined by her friend Georgina. The pair knelt down to read messages written for Amelie's older sister and also lit a candle in her honor.
According to the publication, the parents joined in prayers but did not address the crowds. However, their friend Fiona Payne read out a poem.
The couple's friend read the 1891 ode Hope is the Thing with Feathers by Emily Dickinson and later shared a warm embrace with Kate, per The Mirror.
The mother's uncle, 84-year-old Brian Kennedy, remarked after the poignant event: "Kate and Gerry are very moved by the size of the group of people who turned up. After all these years people still assemble – some come every time and some are new and we are very grateful."
He also addressed supporters during the heartbreaking vigil and said: "Sixteen years without someone and still not knowing where they are is a very long time. Even if it was bad news, in some ways, would give us some closure. But with no closure, there is still hope."
In addition to this, the Rev Rob Gladstone - who led prayers at the informal outdoor - told the congregation: "We are here this evening to show our loving concern for Madeleine and for all young children who have been taken away from their families against their will."
"We are also here to encourage one another to keep up hope and pray for a renewal of strength even after this long time," he added.
The vigil comes after Madeleine's parents issued a statement yesterday (May 3) to mark the 16th anniversary of their daughter's disappearance.
The statement was released on the official Find Madeleine Campaign website and read: "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. The police investigation continues, and we await a breakthrough. Thank you to everyone for your support – it really helps."
The couple also shared a poem titled The Contradiction, written by Clare Pollard, which they said strongly resonated with them.
Part of the verse reads: "The absence contradicts itself: the missing conjures what we miss." "I cannot hold you, yet I do: please let me hold you in my head and where you are now, hold me too."
Furthermore, Maddie's name has been circulating in news reports in recent months after a young Polish woman named Julia Wendell claimed she could be the missing toddler. However, it was confirmed following a DNA test that Wendell is not Kate and Gerry's daughter.
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