The family of a Sydney girl who captured the heart of Duchess of Cambridge and made her laugh during her 2014 Royal visit to Australia have shared heartbreaking photos of their final adventure together.
Mia Murchison, 9, took her ‘last little breath’ in her parents’ arms on August 17, after a long battle with Batten’s disease which eventually robbed her of the ability to walk, talk, eat or see.
Her funeral was described by parents Peta and Hamish as ‘the saddest and most beautiful day’.
Photos have been posted on social media of their ‘final family adventure together with Mia’ with her brave little brother Toby, 6, riding in the back of the car next to a beautifully decorated casket.
Brave Toby Murchison, 6, rode in the back of the car with the casket of his big sister Mia, who died earlier this month
Mia Murchison (pictured far right in 2014) who met Kate Middleton at her hospice in 2014 has died after a battle with Batten’s disease
Mia’s family plan to keep Mia’s wooden name plate that was on the casket (pictured)
‘It was very special Hamish driving Mia to her funeral himself in his car with Toby and I – our final family adventure together with Mia,’ Peta wrote on Facebook.
‘I was never going to ready for this goodbye but it was heavenly and more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. So raw and honest. Our family all coming together to cry, laugh, sob and honour our little girl.’
Mia’s casket had a wooden name plate that her family will keep forever.
‘I never thought you could like a casket but hers was so beautiful covered in flowers and so very Mia. I loved it,’ Peta wrote.
‘The most ethereal of flowers are in Mia’s room. Pink ribbons and drawings by her friends pinned to her wall. It feels like we are being lifted up with all love pouring in to our little family.’
Mia’s mother Peta said the beautiful casket (pictured) was ‘so very Mia’
Mia’s little brother Toby, 6, (pictured) had a big role to play in his family’s ‘final adventure together with Mia’
A public memorial service for Mia was held on Sydney’s northern beaches on Tuesday (August 28).
Wearing her favourite ‘princess dress’, she met the Duchess of Cambridge at children’s hospice Bear Cottage in Sydney in 2014.
The Mirror reports that even though she spent just a few minutes with her, little Mia, then aged four, managed to make the Duchess laugh when she tried to steal a bouquet of flowers she was carrying in her hand.
An amused Kate, who was visiting the hospice with Prince William. then said the youngster could keep them.
When Mia said the word ‘baby’ to her, the Duchess reportedly replied: ‘Yes, I have a baby, baby George.’
A GoFundMe page has been set up to raise proceeds for charities that played a role in Mia’s life, or offer support to children like Mia, which has already raised more than $38,000.
A public memorial service for Mia Murchison was held on Sydney’s northern beaches this week
‘I was never going to ready for this goodbye but it was heavenly and more beautiful than I ever could have imagined. Our family all coming together to cry, laugh, sob and honour our little girl,’ Mia’s family wrote after her funeral
Funds donated will go into the Mia Johannah Trust, which will distribute the proceeds to Riding for Disabled Association of Australia, Bear Cottage, Guide Dogs Australia and Batten Disease Support and Research Association.
‘The love that Mia gave & the joyfulness that everyone experienced through Mia’s life is her gift to us all,’ the page states.
‘However in the six years since Mia’s diagnosis there have been countless supporters, champions, advocates, friends and professionals who have extended themselves for Mia and our family. We would like to recognize and support the organisations that supported Mia’s joyful life.’
Mia’s father Hamish drove Mia on their final family adventure together, with Mia’s brother Toby in the back with her casket
On August 17 her family wrote on Facebook: ‘Mia died this morning at home in our arms. So incredibly sad and beautiful. So very loved and adored’
Even though little Mia spent just a few minutes with the Duchess of Cambridge, it was reported she managed to make her laugh when she tried to steal a bouquet of flowers she was carrying in her hand
In 2013 Mia (right) was diagnosed with batten disease at Sydney Children’s Hospital
Mia (left) was first diagnosed with epilepsy but her memory and language then deteriorated and she began to suffer frequent falls
Mia met the Duchess of Cambridge at a children’s hospital in eastern Australia in 2014
Mia was born in Dublin, Ireland, a healthy, robust baby who walked at 12 months and passed all developmental milestones. But at the age of three, when her family was living in Singapore, she suffered her first seizure.
At first she was diagnosed with epilepsy, but the seizures started to become more regular.
Her language and memory deteriorated, and she began to suffer frequent falls.
In 2013, she was finally diagnosed with batten disease at Sydney Children’s Hospital in Randwick.
On August 17 her family confirmed the devastating news on Facebook: ‘Mia died this morning at home in our arms. So incredibly sad and beautiful. So very loved and adored.’
Mia Murchison’s family said goodbye to their brave little girl in a private farewell last week