Maddie McCann’s parents share heartbreaking 21st birthday message

They marked their daughter’s milestone birthday with a renewed appeal to find her.

Kate and Gerry McCann have been trying to find their missing daughter Maddie since May 3, 2007, when she vanished from their apartment while on a family holiday in Praia da Luz, on the southern coast of Portugal.

Madeleine was three years old at the time of her disappearance, and this morning her parents wished her a happy 21st birthday on the Official Find Madeleine Campaign Facebook page.

In the heartbreaking message, which featured an image of a smiling Maddie, they wrote: "Happy 21st birthday Madeleine.

"Still missing. Still missed. Still looking."

Madeleine would have turned 21 years old yesterday.

Thousands of people responded to the new post, wishing her a happy birthday.

"Forever hoping and praying that Madeleine will be returned to her loving family … Happy Birthday sweet Madeleine xx", one comment read.

Earlier this month, in an update posted to the Find Madeleine website, Kate and Gerry McCann marked the 17th anniversary of Madeleine's disappearance.

They wrote: “It’s 17 years since Madeleine was taken from us. It’s hard to even say that number without shaking our heads in disbelief. Whilst we are fortunate in many ways and able to live a relatively normal and enjoyable life now, the ‘living in limbo’ is still very unsettling. And the absence still aches.

“Your support continues to encourage us and bolsters our strength to keep going. We know the love and hope for Madeleine and the will to find her, even after so many years, remains, and we are truly thankful for that.

“Thank you again for remembering Madeleine and all missing children.”

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