A young girl’s heartfelt letter and brief royal encounter once touched the hearts of millions around the world. Diamond Marshall, the brave child who captured public attention when she hugged Catherine, Princess of Wales, during the royal couple’s visit to Canada, has sadly passed away at the age of nine. Her death was confirmed by a spokesperson from the palace, who told CTV News that both the Prince and Princess of Wales were deeply saddened to hear of her passing.
Diamond’s journey had been marked by incredible resilience. She was first diagnosed with adrenal cancer when she was just five years old, only a few years after the tragic loss of her mother, who died from a different form of cancer at the age of 32. Despite facing this devastating diagnosis, Diamond battled cancer not once, but three separate times.
Her courage and gentle spirit made her a symbol of strength, even as her young body endured unimaginable challenges. In November, her family received heartbreaking news: Diamond had developed osteosarcoma, a type of bone tumor commonly found in children who have undergone previous cancer treatments. This time, doctors told them that her condition was terminal.
During her initial treatment, Diamond became captivated by the British royal family. Lying in a hospital bed, she watched Prince William and Kate Middleton’s wedding on television and was instantly charmed. Her admiration led her to dream of one day meeting a real-life princess. She expressed this dream in a moving letter addressed to the Duchess of Cambridge, writing with the innocence and hope of a child.
The letter read: “Dear Princess Kate, my name is Diamond Anne, I’m six years old. I was named after Princess Diana. My mummy Memory is in heaven with her. I have cancer. I spend a lot of time at hospital. I watched you get married from my bed. You looked very pretty. I like playing princess dress-up. My favorite princess is Aurora. Who’s yours? I’d really like to meet you. Do you want to meet me too?”
Thanks to the Children’s Wish Foundation, that dream became a reality. When the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arrived in Calgary by helicopter during their Canadian tour, Diamond was waiting. Wearing a pink dress and a matching band around her bald head, she stood with anticipation as the royal couple stepped onto the tarmac.
As they approached, Diamond ran forward with a handmade gift in hand, a heart-shaped trinket box containing a friendship bracelet she had created for the Duchess. She briefly retreated to the safety of her father and stepmother after offering her present, but Kate warmly encouraged her to come back. The two exchanged a few gentle words, and then Diamond wrapped her arms around the Duchess in a heartfelt embrace. It was a rare and beautiful moment of happiness during what had been an incredibly difficult time in the little girl’s life.
Diamond had been diagnosed with undifferentiated sarcoma, a rare and aggressive form of cancer that affects the body’s soft tissue. Her father, Lyle Marshall, later spoke to CTV News about how deeply that meeting affected his daughter. He said the royal encounter had a powerful emotional impact on Diamond, helping to lift her spirits and giving her renewed motivation. Afterward, she wanted to write another letter—this time a thank-you note—not only to Princess Catherine but to all the princesses in the world who had given her the strength to keep going.
In the time following her initial diagnosis, Diamond underwent several surgeries and endured multiple rounds of chemotherapy. After a long and painful battle, her cancer went into remission, allowing her to receive a bone marrow transplant. Sadly, just a month later, doctors discovered that her cancer had returned, this time as osteosarcoma. The diagnosis was terminal. Despite this, Diamond continued to face every day with the poise and grace of a princess, inspiring all who knew her story.
On Tuesday, it was officially announced that Diamond Marshall had passed away, surrounded by love and remembered by a world that had once paused to witness her strength, her innocence, and her heartfelt wish to meet a princess. Her legacy lives on in the hearts of those she touched, including the royals who shared a fleeting but unforgettable moment with a truly remarkable little girl.