The twin sister of British girl Madeleine McCann, who disappeared from a holiday home in Praia da Luz, Portugal, on May 3, 2007. In 2026, Amelie is 20-years-old and has lived her whole conscious life under the radar of one of the most followed missing persons cases in history. She has created a private, grounded life centered around University, sport and family and fiercely guarded her identity in the face of unimaginable circumstances.
Amelie McCann is who? Early Life and Family Background
Born February 12, 2005 in Leicestershire, England, Amelie McCann is the daughter of Kate and Gerry McCann, both doctors. SEAN McCann and Madeleine McCann are her twin brothers, while she is the younger sister of Sean.
When Amelie and Sean were sleeping next to him, Madeleine vanished from their holiday apartment just 2 years and 3 months old. Kate McCann found the twins were untouched when she discovered Madeleine missing at 10pm.
Raised in Rothley, Leicestershire, Amelie and Sean have lived largely out of the public eye. Kate and Gerry McCann have never been afraid to push the issue of Madeleine’s disappearance to the public and have done everything possible to keep the lives of the twins as normal as they can.
Family Background
- Daughter of Kate and Gerry McCann
- Twin sister of Sean McCann
- Younger sister of Madeleine McCann
- Raised in Rothley, Leicestershire
Privacy in Childhood
- No photos of Sean and Amelie available to the public
- Family kept twins away from media attention
- Parents maintained a public awareness campaign for Madeleine
For instance, there are no photos of Sean and Amelie available to the public, meaning they stay rather under the radar, whereas their parents have an extremely public awareness campaign.
Amelie McCann 2026: Age, Education & University Life
Amelie McCann is thought to be 20 years old, and probably studying at Durham University in 2026. Both she and her twin Sean are in college and “creating their own lives”.
Academic & Sporting Achievements
Studying in the north of England, Amelie remains sporty, after competing in cross-country running and triathlons at school. Her twin brother Sean is enrolled in chemical engineering and is a champion freestyle swimmer who aims to represent Great Britain in the 2028 Olympics and 2026 Commonwealth Games.
Both Sean and Amelie are both aspiring athletes, competing in swimming championships, triathlons and cross country racing. Earlier they went to a local Catholic high school in Rothley where Maddie continued to go.
Education Highlights
- Studying at Durham University
- Economics and university studies in the north of England
- Active in cross-country running and triathlons
- Previously attended Catholic high school in Rothley
Choir, use a low level of speech to communicate.
Amelie gave her first public speech in 2023, at the annual vigil in honour of Madeleine. The family hosts the event yearly at the Leicestershire village where they live.
She said that everyone was present and it was “a sad occasion,” but it was nice to be all together. Amelie has no public social media profile and a private life, making it a rare public moment.
Public Appearance Highlights
- First public speech in 2023
- Annual vigil held in Leicestershire
- Rare public moment for Amelie
- Maintains private social media presence
In 2025, the Court Case is set to begin with a trial of Julia Wandelt for harassment.
In October 2025 Amelie McCann appeared in court in a harassment trial at Leicester Crown Court in front of a camera, accused of harassing Julia Wandelt, who was from Lubin in south-west Poland and claimed to be Madeleine McCann.
Amelie’s Testimony
Amelie, now 20, told the court that she felt uncomfortable with messages from the family’s alleged “creepy” stalker as it was “playing with my emotions”. She said she did not want to do a DNA test with Wandelt, stating: “I always knew that she wasn’t Madeleine, so I didn’t need to do one.”
Amelie testified that Wandelt had sent images of herself which were “clearly altered or edited … to make it look more like her”. She said that the communications were “quite creepy” and manipulative.
“It really makes me feel uncomfortable because it’s a little creepy that she’s giving me those details and is playing with my emotions”.
Impact on the McCann Family
Jurors were told by Madeleine’s sister that her mother Kate McCann was “stressed and on edge” when Wandelt visited the family home, where it was “an invasion” of their privacy. Prosecutor Nadia Silver described a series of calls Kate McCann got from Wandelt in a 24-hour period, 60 of them.
Amelie’s twin brother Sean McCann says Wandelt’s accusations are “disrespectful” and “deeply disturbing.” “It’s disrespectful that she’s making this claim and getting a lot of attention and support for it, the fact Julia has no respect for how we feel about her claims is hurtful,” he says in statement made in front of the court.
Growing Up After Madeleine: How the McCann Family Healed
In May 2025, the 20-year anniversary of Madeleine McCann’s abduction from her Portuguese holiday home with the two-year-old twin girls Amelie and Sean next to her was marked.Eighteen years later, in May 2025, the three-year-old Madeleine McCann was snatched from her Portuguese holiday apartment alongside two-year-old twin girls Amelie and Sean.
Gerry’s and Kate’s support for the twins has been strong since then. Madeleine’s birthday last year would have been at age 22. The family shared the joy of how Sean and Amelie have overcome the odds to become successful. They are entering a bright future as young adults.
A family friend explains how they are “making their own way in life”.
Family Recovery
- Continued family support from Kate and Gerry McCann
- Twins grew into successful young adults
- Family maintained private lifestyle
- Strong family bond despite tragedy
Quick Facts: Amelie McCann 2026
| Category |
Details |
| Full Name |
Amelie McCann |
| Date of Birth |
February 12, 2005 |
| Age (2026) |
20 years old |
| Place of Birth |
Leicestershire, England |
| Nationality |
British |
| Twin Brother |
Sean McCann |
| Missing Sister |
Madeleine McCann (b. May 12, 2003) |
| Parents |
Kate McCann & Gerry McCann |
| Raised In |
Rothley, Leicestershire |
| Education |
The lofts are believed to be in the buildings of Durham University. |
| Known For |
Sister of Madeleine McCann; harassment trial witness (2025) |
| 2025 Status |
University student, living privately in UK |
Privacy & Life Out of the Spotlight
Amelie is a private citizen who has worked very hard to establish a normal life in very abnormal conditions. There are no publicly-available photos of Sean and Amelie now, and they keep a very low profile.
Unlike other kids involved in prominent cases, Amelie doesn’t have any public social media. This was her first public speech in the deliberate privacy of hers.
Private Lifestyle
- No public social media
- Rare public appearances
- Low-profile lifestyle
- Focus on university and family life
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: How many years will it take until Amelie McCann will turn 26 in 2026?
Amelie McCann is 20 years old, born February 12, 2005.
Q2: What is Amelie McCann doing now?
She is thought to be at Durham University and is living in private accommodation in the UK. She is athletic and ran cross-country and triathletes.
Q3: Was Amelie McCann called to court to testify?
Yes. Amelie appeared by video link in October 2025 at Leicester Crown Court as part of the harassment trial of Julia Wandelt (who has been accused of being Madeleine).
Q4: Is Amelie a twin of Sean McCann?
Yes. Amelie and Sean are twins, born February 12, 2005.
Q5: In which country is Amelie McCann from?
The McCann family lives in Rothley, Leicestershire. Amelie is in the North of England studying.
Ending with a recap of the strengths identified in Privacy.
Amelie McCann’s is a story of enduring resilience. She has lived a life which has been scrutinized worldwide as the twin sister of Madeleine McCann, yet she has remained dignified, private and normal in childhood and young adulthood. A university student and athlete, Amelie is now 20 years old, living her life for herself. Her 2025 appearance in court was a testament to her steadfast determination and unwavering resolve, as she bravely shielded her family’s boundaries. Amelie McCann is still a private citizen with a promising future in 2026 – a testament to healing and strength even after the unthinkable has happened.
