MISSING Madeleine McCann's parents have shared a heartbreaking update on the 17th anniversary of her disappearance.
Kate and Gerry McCann said their daughter's "absence still aches" in a touching social media post.
It reads: "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.
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"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."
The couple are expected to be seen for the first time since appalling details of suspected Maddie snatcher Christian Brueckner emerged from his trial.
They will join villagers at the annual prayer gathering in the middle of their village Rothley, Leics., at 7pm next Friday (May 3).
The poignant prayers will take place just nine days before what would have been missing Madeleine’s 21st birthday, in yet another heartbreaking milestone for the McCanns.
Madeleine vanished on May 3, 2007, when her family were holidaying in Praia da Luz, in the Algarve, Portugal.
Parents Gerry and Kate left their three children – including toddler twins Sean and Amelie – sleeping in their apartment while they dined at a tapas bar - 120 metres away.
When Kate returned to check on the kids at around 10pm that evening, she discovered that Madeleine was not in her bed and was missing.
In September of that year, Gerry and Kate, both doctors, were sensationally named as "arguidos" by Portuguese police.
The following summer the McCanns were cleared by investigators in Portugal who declared they had exhausted all avenues in the case.
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The prime suspect in the case is 47-year-old German national and convicted sex offender Christian Brueckner.
He is currently serving a prison sentence for raping a woman in Praia da Luz in 2005, and is suspected of further attacks in the area between 2000 and 2017.
Brueckner is currently appearing in a German court accused of a string of rapes and indecent exposure allegations uncovered during the investigation into Maddie.
He denies the claims against him and the trial continues.
