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Edinburgh Live
Edinburgh Live
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Tracey Kandohla & Kris Gourlay

Madeleine McCann's sister speaks for first time since her disappearance at vigil

The sister of Madeleine McCann has been pictured for the first time since she was a toddler as the 18-year-old spoke about the disappearance of her sibling at a remembrance vigil.

The ceremony took place in the McCann's home village of Rothley, Leicestershire, with Amelie lighting a candle for her sister on Wednesday night at the 16th year anniversary of her disappearance.

The teenager was joined by parents Gerry and Kate, according to the Mirror. Amelie said it was "nice to have everyone together," but it was a "sad occasion."

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The 18-year-old, who is reportedly in the process of applying to go to university, appeared for the first time since she was a toddler. However, her twin brother Sean did not attend the vigil.

Madeleine went missing on a family holiday to Portugal when she was just three-years-old. Kate's close friend Fiona Payne was among the family at the Praia da Luz resort in 2007 and was also present at the vigil on Wednesday evening.

Fiona, a doctor, read a moving poem "Hope is the thing with feathers" by Emily Dickinson. She later shared a warm embrace with Kate.

Amelie took her turn to light a candle for Maddie and other missing children.

The missing Madeleine at the time of her disapperance. (METROPOLITAN POLICE/AFP via Getty)

Kate and Gerry joined in prayers but neither addressed the crowds. Rev. Rob Gladstone, vicar at the local parish , told supporters: "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."

Amelie, accompanied by her friend Georgina, joined in repeating mantras read out by individual people in the 70-strong crowd including "Never never give up", "leave no stone unturned", "don't forget about me" and "still missing, still missed." Kate's uncle, retired head teacher Brian Kennedy, 84, after the event said: "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."

Brian, who lives in the same village with wife Janet, who addressed supporters, added: "16 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."

Kate and Gerry recently posted a message on the official Find Maddie website saying their daughter is still "very much missed" and after 16 years, they still await a breakthrough in the police hunt for her.

German police are convinced Maddie is dead and have been intent on charging prime suspect Christian Brueckner, named three years ago, but it recently emerged that the convicted paedophile may never face trial because of the legal technicality over foreign courts' jurisdiction.

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