The little girl who didn't stand on ceremony: Six-year-old cancer sufferer flings herself into Kate's arms for a hug

By REBECCA ENGLISH

Emotional: The Duchess of Cambridge embraces six-year-old Diamond Marshall who rushed across the tarmac to meet her at Calgary Airport


The Duchess of Cambridge was moved to tears when a young cancer sufferer flung her arms around her during a bouquet presentation.

Diamond Marshall, six, who was diagnosed with an abdominal tumour in February, was overcome at meeting Catherine when she arrived at Calgary Airport yesterday.

The youngster, who has undergone chemotherapy and radiotherapy and is currently awaiting surgery, rushed forwards across the tarmac and flung herself into Kate's arms.


Shy: Six-year-old Diamond Marshall is overawed when she first meets the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge on the tarmac in Calgary


The Duchess, who was wearing a pretty primrose silk dress by Jenny Packham, looked visibly moved and embraced the young girl.

Afterwards her step-mother Danielle, 32, said: 'She was so lovely and so gracious. For a little girl who has dreamed of meeting a princess it was a dream come true.'

Diamond, who was also accompanied by her father Lyall, 32, added:'She was as fancy as she looks on the TV.'

Diamond won the chance to meet the couple through the Canadian charity Children's Wish.


Royal greeting: Kate comforts Diamond and encourages her to talk to her about herself


She wrote to them from her hospital bed in the Alberta Children's Hospital after watching the Royal Wedding and asked if she could meet a princess.

Her mother also wrote to the charity saying: 'We realise Diamond's wish is enormous. We also realise she may not have the chance to go to Disneyland where she wants to lunch with princesses.

'Should the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge just happen to swing by for a visit it would go a long way for helping her spirits as she is in awe of Princess Kate's fairytale like story.'

Since 1984 the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada has worked to grant the dreams of 17,000 children and their families.


Thank you: Diamond Marshall hands a gift to Kate welcoming her and William to Calgary


Gone with the wind: Catherine battles with the breeze on arrival in Calgary with Prince William


Happy couple: Kate and William have just spent 24-hour in the Rockies relaxing and hiking


Famous company: The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge join Pope John Paul II and the Dalai Lama as people who have received a white hat on arrival in Calgary


His and hers: Catherine and William look amused in their cowboy hats while they watch a bull riding demonstration during the Calgary Stampede


They both look relaxed in matching jeans and brown leather belts while William wore a green checked shirt and Kate a patterned white shirt by British designer Alice Temperley.

Nestled in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains, Calgary is a gleaming modern metropolis of more than a million people that remains in touch with its roots as a Wild West frontier town.

Nicknamed Cowtown, its wealth is now built on oil and gas rather than cattle, but every year in July locals and visitors act out their cowboy and cowgirl fantasies at the world-famous 10-day Stampede festival.


Cowgirl Kate: The Duchess looks the part watching the Calgary Stampede


Hang on to you hat: The couple, accompanied by Canadian prime minister Stephen Harper and his wife Laureen, look amused as a child rides a sheep


The couple arrived in Calgary after enjoying the second romantic break of their tour of Canada and the US.

The Duke and Duchess flew by helicopter on Wednesday to a secluded rustic log cabin the heart of the Canadian Rockies, just above picturesque Lake Louise.

Some local residents said special preparations were made at Skoki Lodge for their arrival.



Meeting the chief: William and Catherine learn more about Canadian culture on their trip to Calgary


Royals Appear to Opt Out of Calgary Tradition



source: dailymail