Prince Harry’s Ex Cressida Bonas Pays Emotional Tribute to Late Sister

Prince Harry’s ex-girlfriend, Cressida Bonas, has paid a heartfelt tribute to her late sister Pandora Cooper-Key, who recently passed away after a 24-year intermittent battle with cancer.

Harry, 39, dated Bonas for two years between 2012 and 2014 after they were introduced by Princess Eugenie. Their eventual split was reportedly amicable, with Bonas even attending Harry’s 2018 wedding to Meghan Markle.

Bonas, also an actress, lost her older half-sister Cooper-Key, 51, on July 22. In March, Cooper-Key had revealed she was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor. Though chemotherapy was not an option, she undertook immunotherapy, a more revolutionary cancer treatment, which she hoped might work.

In a poignant display of sisterly love, Bonas, 35, shared a series of photos and a heartfelt tribute to Cooper-Key, who has been commended for her courageous battle with cancer.

“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,” she wrote. “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 humor, 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.”

Cooper-Key was praised by Sarcoma UK for raising awareness of this form of cancer. She also dealt with Paget’s disease and nose and cheek tumors during her fight.

Kerry Reeves-Kneip, Director of Communications at Sarcoma UK, said, “Pandora was an extraordinary individual whose impact on Sarcoma UK and the wider community cannot be overstated. She was, without a doubt, one of the most extraordinary and infectious spirits I have ever encountered, radiating sweetness and genuine care for others. Her fighting spirit in the face of a 24-year battle with various forms of cancer, including sarcoma, was nothing short of inspirational.

“I had the pleasure of working closely with Pandora, particularly during the organisation of a carol concert at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford. This event, featuring notable personalities like Kate Winslet and Bear Grylls, raised over £130,000 for our cause. Pandora’s energy, kindness, and dedication during this time were truly remarkable.

“Her openness about her journey helped raise crucial awareness about sarcoma and the challenges faced by patients. Pandora’s legacy extends far beyond her fundraising efforts; she touched countless lives with her warmth and resilience.”

According to The Times, Cooper-Key’s lengthy battle with cancer was exacerbated by a condition known as Li-Fraumeni, which increases the likelihood of developing the disease.

The National Organisation for Rare Disorders states that Li-Fraumeni is a hereditary condition that Cooper-Key was diagnosed with at the age of 26. She is survived by her two teenage sons.

Prince Harry’s relationship with Bonas was discussed in his bombshell 2023 memoir “Spare”, where he recounted their “painfully awkward” first kiss. “I leaned in to give her a kiss, but my aim was off. I could take out a cactus from three miles away from a Hellfire missile but I couldn’t quite find her lips,” Harry wrote. “She turned, I tried again on the return trip, and we managed something like a graze. Painfully awkward.”

Source: The Times, Femail