Cressida Bonas delivered a heartfelt tribute to her “darling sister” Pandora Cooper-Key during her funeral on Friday at St Luke’s Church in Chelsea.
The 35-year-old mourned the loss of her ceramicist sister, who passed away at the age of 51 in July after a 24-year battle with cancer.
Pandora had been diagnosed with Paget’s disease, a rare form of ductal cancer, at just 26, and last year she was found to have an inoperable brain tumor.
According to Richard Eden, Cressida, Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriend, gave a poignant speech in honor of her elder sister, reading a touching letter she had written to Pandora after her passing. “My heart is forever tied to yours,” she expressed.
Among those supporting Cressida on Friday were Tom Parker Bowles, the Queen’s son, and her nephew, Sir Ben Elliot.
Other attendees included Pandora’s half-sister Isabella Calthorpe, who was accompanied by her sister-in-law Holly Branson, the daughter of Virgin tycoon Sir Richard Branson. Actress Gabriella Wilde, whose father, John Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe, is Pandora’s mother’s ex-husband, was also present.
Lady Mary-Gaye Curzon, Pandora’s mother, shared touching remarks about her daughter, stating, “Nobody on Earth who ever met Pandora could help falling in love with her.”
Cressida wore a bright turquoise suit paired with a white T-shirt, and photos obtained by the MailOnline showed all guests in vibrant colors. Last month, Cressida had posted a heartfelt tribute to her sister on Instagram.
Alongside a series of precious family photos, Cressida wrote: “I’ll look for you in the markets where we walked arm in arm. Amongst the ancient trees, I’ll talk and ask them where you are. I’ll find you in the expression of a Pekingese, in pots of honey, pretty hats, and in the eyes of your two boys. I’ll hear you say things like, “I’m happy as a tick,” and “I think you’re mad as a goose.” I’ll search for your humour, even on the darkest days. When courage is needed, I’ll call for you, hoping you’ll come by.
“I’ll seek you in the mountains you fearlessly climbed and skied. When the evening sun kisses the ocean, I’m sure I’ll see you there. I will find you in the colours of life and moments of mischief. I’ll search for you in the stars and wherever there is dancing. I will turn the music up and dance more than ever before. I’ll look for you in my dreams where you’ll say, “Hi, Smally,” and tell me where you’ve been.
“Then one day, I’ll remember you said in one of your final days, “I don’t know what all the fuss is about, I ain’t going nowhere…” And I’ll realise I never had to look for you at all. You were right here beside me all along because, my darling sister, my heart is forever tied to yours.Pandora Cooper-Key ~ 1973-2024 [butterfly emoji].”
