Cressida Bonas delivers heartfelt tribute at sister Pandora Cooper-Key’s memorial after 24-year cancer battle

Pandora Cooper-Key, a ceramicist, passed away in July at the age of 51 following a 24-year battle with cancer. The service, which was held at St Luke’s Church in Chelsea, West London on Friday, was attended by family and close friends, including Tom Parker Bowles, son of Queen Camilla, and Pandora's nephew, Sir Ben Elliot.

In her speech, Bonas, who is a former girlfriend of Prince Harry, referred to Pandora as her "darling sister" and read a heartfelt letter she had written after Pandora’s death. "My heart is forever tied to yours," she said, reflecting the deep bond between the siblings.

Other family members present included Pandora’s half-sister Isabella Calthorpe, along with actress Gabriella Wilde and Pandora’s mother, Lady Mary-Gaye Curzon. Paying tribute, her mum said: "Nobody on Earth who ever met Pandora could help falling in love with her."

Pandora's legacy as a mother of two teenage boys and a beloved figure was a central theme of the service. The family had already planned her funeral 'thousands of times' just months before her death. Pandora's father, aristocrat Esmond Cooper-Key, died in 1985 aged 42.

Other family members at the service included Pandora's half-sister Isabella Calthorpe, who was joined by her sister-in-law Holly Branson, daughter of Virgin tycoon Sir Richard Branson. Also there was actress Gabriella Wilde, the Poldark star, whose father, John Anstruther-Gough-Calthorpe, is an ex-husband of Pandora's mother, Lady Mary-Gaye.

Pandora was first diagnosed with Paget's disease, a rare form of cancer, at age 26. Over the years, she faced numerous health challenges, including multiple tumours, rounds of immunotherapy, and surgeries. Despite these hardships, Pandora continued to work as a designer for Vivienne Westwood and later launched her own ceramics business, Curzon Blue.

One of Pandora’s close friends, Serena Cook, lightened the mood with stories of their travels, recalling their adventures in Latin America, including an incident in Nicaragua where they were chased by a farmer after stealing watermelons. "Pandora's creativity was always present," Cook said, highlighting her friend's artistic touch, even during their backpacking trips.

‘Beloved daughter’

Pandora's passing was announced in a notice in The Times, where she was described as a "beloved daughter, adored mother, much-loved sister, and devoted aunt."

Sarcoma UK, a charity Pandora supported, praised her openness about her cancer journey, which helped raise awareness about sarcoma and its challenges. "Pandora's legacy extends far beyond her fundraising efforts; she touched countless lives with her warmth and resilience," said Kerry Reeves-Kneip, Director of Communications at Sarcoma UK.

Despite her long battle with cancer, Pandora remained optimistic and focused on her family. In a reflective interview earlier this year, she praised her "amazing" family for their unwavering support, saying, "We're like rocks to each other. I'd feel lost without them."

Pandora is survived by her two sons, whom she had with TV producer Matthew Mervyn-Jones, before the couple separated.