Diamond Marshall, girl who got hug from Kate Middleton, succumbs to cancer

Children’s Wish Foundation helped young Calgary girl meet Prince William and Kate

Diamond was six years old when she caught the world’s attention during Kate Middleton and Prince William’s visit to Calgary.

The girl had wanted to meet a princess after watching the royal couple’s wedding from her hospital bed, a dream that was made possible by the Children’s Wish Foundation.

Kate is a duchess, not a princess, but the distinction was unimportant to Diamond, who gave the royal couple a bouquet of flowers, a homemade gift and two hugs.

A spokesperson from Buckingham Palace says the royal couple was saddened to learn of her death.

‘Her story inspired so many’

Diamond had a rare but aggressive form of cancer. It had been in remission, but recently returned.

“[She] had survived cancer three times previously, but in early November we discovered she had osteosarcoma and we were told this would be the last chapter of her journey,” said her family in a statement.

They say Diamond died peacefully on Monday evening. While there is a lot of sadness, her family says they are  relieved she is no longer suffering.

“We are incredibly thankful for the time we had with Diamond and we will cherish the memories we made with her,” said the statement.

“In her fight against cancer, Diamond was a warrior but she carried herself with the grace and dignity of a princess. She touched many people along the way and her story inspired so many.”

Her family plans to set up a charitable initiative in the girl’s memory in the near future.

Diamond was the inspiration behind an 11-day hockey game to raise money for the Alberta Children’s Hospital Foundation, among other cau