HOLY PRINCE: Cressida Bonas Mourns the Loss of Half-Sister Pandora Cooper-Key
Cressida Bonas, famously linked to Prince Harry as his former girlfriend, is grieving the loss of her half-sister, Pandora Cooper-Key, who passed away at the age of 51.
Pandora had endured a long and difficult battle with illness, spanning 24 years, before receiving the devastating diagnosis of an incurable brain tumor. Despite her struggles, Pandora’s strength and grace left a lasting impression on those who knew her.
As the daughter of nobleman Esmond Cooper-Key and Lady Mary Gaye Curzon, Pandora hailed from a family with deep aristocratic roots. She was also the half-sister of actress and model Anna Bonas and one of an impressive eleven siblings in total.
Her passing has left a profound void in the lives of her family and loved ones, who will undoubtedly cherish her memory and the enduring legacy she leaves behind.
In May 2012, Princess Eugenie introduced Cressida Bonas to Prince Harry, marking the beginning of a relationship that would capture public attention. Despite some ups and downs—most notably rumors of Harry being spotted nude in Las Vegas—the pair continued to date until April 2014.
Years later, at Prince Harry’s wedding to Meghan Markle in May 2018, Cressida and another of Harry’s ex-girlfriends, Chelsy Davy, were among the attendees, showcasing the amicable ties they maintained.
Pandora Cooper-Key, Cressida’s half-sister, lived a life marked by both creativity and resilience. A ceramicist and former Vivienne Westwood accessory designer, Pandora faced immense health challenges with remarkable courage. She revealed that her family had “planned her funeral thousands of times” after enduring years of illness.
Her health struggles began at 26 when she was diagnosed with Paget’s Disease, a rare form of kidney cancer. Pandora overcame the disease and went on to have her first child nearly a decade later. However, in 2018, she received the devastating news of an incurable brain tumor on the left side of her brain. Despite the grim prognosis, Pandora remained hopeful, placing her faith in immunotherapy treatments.
Pandora’s legacy as a mother of two, an artist, and a fighter will be remembered by her family, friends, and all who admired her strength and creativity. Her resilience in the face of adversity serves as an inspiration to many.
Remarkably, just weeks after giving birth, Pandora Cooper-Key was informed by her physicians that they had discovered a sarcoma in her left eye. Sarcomas, known for their rarity and aggressiveness, affect only a few thousand people annually in the UK.
Following the removal of her tear duct, doctors gave Pandora a grim prognosis, estimating she had only 10 months to live. However, her remarkable resilience saw her defy expectations for years.
The challenges didn’t end there. A tumor was successfully removed from her cheek, but another was later discovered behind her nose. Pandora also endured severe seizures, sometimes leaving her unconscious for days.
Despite undergoing eight surgeries to remove malignancies and subsequent cosmetic procedures, she was left without muscle function in half of her face. To address this, she required Botox to paralyze the other side for balance. Ever the optimist, Pandora maintained her sense of humor, quipping in a 2021 interview with The Times: “I’m the only girl in town who gets it free.”
Her unyielding spirit and ability to find humor in hardship are a testament to her extraordinary character, inspiring those who knew her and many who followed her journey.
Towards the end of the previous year, Pandora Cooper-Key was diagnosed with a brain tumor that doctors confirmed could not be removed. “To operate, they’d have to go through blood vessels, which is not good,” she shared in a conversation just months before her passing. The doctors were firm in their initial assessment, telling her, “I’m really sorry, but we can’t.”
Pandora was described as a devoted aunt to her nieces and nephews, a loving sister to her two brothers and eight sisters, and a cherished daughter of the late Edmond Cooper-Key and Lady Mary Gaye Curzon. She was also the adored mother of her two children, Bow and Nestor.
Her courage and determination in the face of such adversity didn’t go unnoticed. Kerry Reeves-Kneip, Director of Communications at Sarcoma UK, praised Pandora for her openness about her illness. “By being so transparent about her experience, she helped raise awareness about sarcoma and the challenges that patients face,” Reeves-Kneip noted.
Pandora’s bravery in the face of such immense struggles and her dedication to raising awareness about rare diseases left an indelible mark on the world and continues to inspire many.Pandora’s resilience and kindness have left a lasting legacy that continues to touch the lives of countless individuals. Her courage not only in her own battle but also in her efforts to raise awareness and support for sarcoma patients will be remembered for years to come.
On behalf of Sarcoma UK, we would like to express our deepest sympathies to Pandora’s family, including her mother, Lady Mary, her sister Cressida Bonas, her two children, Bow and Nestor, and all those who were close to her.
Pandora’s impact on both our organization and on other sarcoma patients has been profound. We are committed to honoring her memory by redoubling our efforts to further our mission in raising awareness and providing support.
“Pandora’s bravery, kindness, and unbreakable spirit will always be cherished in our hearts, and her legacy will continue to inspire us in the fight against sarcoma.”
