Madeleine McCann mysteriously disappeared from Apartment 5A inside the Ocean Beach resort of Praia da Luz, Portugal. On May 3, 2007, Kate and Gerry McCann were enjoying dinner at a tapas restaurant with friends just metres away, as their daughter slept. However, during a routine check at 10pm, Kate discovered Madeleine was not in their room.

What followed was arguably one of the most extensive missing-person cases in history, with investigators still yet to find the youngster 12 years on.

Over the years, Kate and Gerry have supported anything that may possibly help to return their daughter. 

The pair set up a charity, made a website and even secured celebrity endorsements inthe hope of reaching a worldwide audience, thanks to Sir Alex Ferguson.

However, Kate explained during her book “Madeleine: Our Daughter’s Disappearance and the Continuing Search for Her” how this desire to be reunited with Madeleine meant exposing her whole family’s private life.

Given the choice, we would prefer to try to sink back into the anonymity

Kate McCann

She detailed in 2011: “The sacrifice of our privacy has been another concern. 

“Given the choice, we would prefer to try to sink back into the anonymity we took for granted before May 3, 2007. 

“But our anonymity has gone now anyway and we constantly have to weigh-up our desire for privacy against the need to keep our search for Madeleine in the public eye.

“I have wondered whether we haven’t already given too much of ourselves and our family to the world.”

Kate went on to explain that she is willing to do whatever it takes to get Madeleine back.

She added: “It is not something with which we are comfortable with but often the considerations involved in such decisions seem irreconcilable. 

“Writing this memoir has entailed recording some very personal, intimate and emotional aspects of our lives. 

“Sharing them with strangers does not come easily to me, but if I hadn’t done so I would not have felt the book gave a full picture as it is possible for me to give. 

“As with every action we have taken over the years, it ultimately boils down to whether it could help find Madeleine or not.”

In March, controversial Netflix series “The Disappearance of Madeleine McCann” was released in a bid to learn more about the 12-year case. 

However, the McCanns did not feel it would be beneficial in returning Madeleine to safety.

A statement on behalf of the couple argues that the show could actually hinder police investigations. 

It reads: “We did not see – and still do not see – how this programme will help the search for Madeleine and, particularly given there is an active police investigation, it could potentially hinder it.

“Consequently, our views and preferences are not reflected in the programme. 

“We will not be making any further statements or giving interviews regarding this programme.”

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