Kate and Gerry McCann have marked the 16th anniversary of their daughter Madeleine's disappearance by expressing their continued longing for her return.
In a poignant post on the 'Official Find Madeleine Campaign' Facebook page, the couple admitted their struggle to put their emotions into words.
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They said: "Today marks the 16th anniversary [of Madeleine's disappearance]. 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. Kate and Gerry."
They also shared a heart-wrenching poem by Clare Pollard called 'The Contradiction,' which speaks of the pain of not being able to hold someone you miss so much, Mirror UK reports.
It reads: "You are not here, I’m not myself, but still I talk to you like this."
And adds: "I cannot hold you, yet I do: please let me hold you in my head and where you are now, hold me too."
The McCann's stated that the poem "resonates strongly with us".
Kate and Gerry are expected to join friends and family tonight to remember their daughter at a prayer gathering near their home.
It is not yet known if Madeleine's twin siblings, Sean and Amelie, both aged 18, will attend. Their older sister was three when she vanished from a holiday apartment in Praia da Luz, Portugal, in May 2007.
Madeleine's parents are still hoping their daughter, who would now be 19, will one day be found alive.
Her great uncle Brian Kennedy said ahead of tonight’s event: “Kate and Gerry always feel heartened by the attendance of well wishers.
“It is much appreciated that people still want to show such support.”
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