Kate and Gerry McCann have strived to provide a normal upbringing for their twin children, Sean and Amelie, now 18, despite the trauma of Madeleine's disappearance 16 years ago. The couple, from Rothley, Leicestershire, have spoken about adapting to a 'new normality' as a family of four while never giving up hope of finding their eldest daughter.
In 2017, Gerry told the BBC: 'You adapt and you have a new normality. Unfortunately for us a new normality is a family of four.' Kate added that one of their goals, alongside finding Madeleine, was to ensure Sean and Amelie have 'a very normal, happy and fulfilling life'. She quit her job as a GP after the disappearance but later returned to work in a different role, saying being busy 'keeps us going'.
Both twins were two years old when Madeleine vanished in May 2007 from Praia da Luz, Portugal, and are unlikely to remember her. However, Kate told The Sun they have 'grown up essentially without Madeleine but knowing their sister is missing and they want her back'. Amelie is reportedly applying to university, and the twins are described as sporty and sociable.
Kate previously recounted how Sean promised: 'When you're old, me and Amelie will look for Madeleine.' Amelie, speaking at a memorial event marking 16 years, said: 'It's nice that everyone is here together but it's a sad occasion.' German police are currently searching a reservoir in Portugal linked to prime suspect Christian Brueckner.
The couple continue to lead the search, with Kate noting: 'As a family 98 per cent of the time we're busy... The urge to look for Madeleine absolutely hasn't changed at all.'
