Prince Harry’s ex Cressida Bonas shares tribute to ‘darling sister’ following her death

Cressida Bonas is paying tribute to to her “darling sister” Pandora Cooper-Key after she died last month at the age of 51. 

Bonas, 35, who dated Prince Harry between 2012 and 2014, shared a heartfelt post on Instagram with a carousel of photos in remembrance of her half-sister following her 24-year on-and-off cancer battle.

In her message, she 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 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,” the actress and model continued. “When the evening sun kisses the ocean, I’m sure I’ll see you there. I will find you in the colors 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.”

“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,” Bonas concluded.

Cooper-Key, the daughter of Lady Mary Gaye Curzon and aristocrat Esmond Cooper-Key, was first diagnosed with breast cancer at the age of 26 in 2000, according to Daily Mail. She had a rare disorder called Li-Fraumeni, which increases the risk of developing several types of cancer, according to the National Institute of Health. 

Over the past two decades, she faced numerous health challenges, including sarcoma, Paget’s disease, seizures and tumors.

Cooper-Key found out at the end of 2023 that she had a tumor on the left side of her skull that doctors could not operate on.

In March, she revealed to Daily Mail that her family had already planned her funeral “thousands of times.”

Her death was officially announced by her family last week.

Following the news, Sarcoma UK, a charity she supported, honored her memory through a fundraising page.

“She was a beautiful spirit and an inspiration to so many,” the charity’s statement read.

Kerry Reeves-Kneip, Director of Communications at Sarcoma UK, added: “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.”

“We are immensely grateful for the difference Pandora made to our organisation and to others affected by sarcoma. We at Sarcoma UK will honour her by continuing our mission with renewed determination,” she continued. “Pandora’s kindness, courage, and indomitable spirit will forever remain in our hearts.”

Bonas and Harry’s relationship ended after two years, with the prince calling it quits.

In his book, “Spare,” he wrote, “There was massive affection, deep and abiding loyalty — but not love everlasting” of their 2014 split, noting that Bonas had always been “clear about not wanting to take on the stresses of being a royal.”

Harry went on to marry actress Meghan Markle in 2018. The two share son, Archie, 5, and daughter, Lilibet, 3. Bonas said “I do” to property investor Harry Wentworth-Stanley in 2020. The couple welcomed a son, Wilbur, in November 2022.