THIS is the magical moment a Hampshire schoolgirl battling cancer got the surprise of her life – when she came face to face with a princess.

Edith Coombes, aged five, who is being treated for leukaemia, thought she was visiting Southampton’s Mayflower Theatre to collect box office tickets to see the hit musical Shrek the Musical.

But she was completely overwhelmed when Princess Fiona – the leading lady of the hit show – made a special personal appearance and praised her for her bravery since falling ill.

Edith, a pupil at Berrywood School in Hedge End, compared dresses and talked tiaras and sparkly shoes with the princess – played by Call The Midwife actress Laura Main – and was also presented with a special Star Award from Cancer Research UK Kids and Teens in partnership with TK Maxx.

The youngster, who has been chosen to launch this year’s Hampshire campaign which honours the courage of all children battling cancer, was joined by big sister Eleanor and their parents Kathryn and Lewis for the surprise and were presented with VIP tickets for the show.

Princess Fiona told Edith: “It’s lovely to meet you. I’ve heard all about you and what a brave, brave girl you have been. I believe your sister Eleanor has been a great help too. I really hope you enjoy the show.”

Edith was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia (ALL) in March, not long after starting in Year R at school and repeatedly coming down with what was initially thought to be a virus.

A bone marrow biopsy eventually confirmed it was cancer and Edith was admitted to hospital and began intensive chemotherapy.

Since then she has lost her long blonde hair and has had to have her head shaved twice. She’s also had repeated stays in hospital, undergoes regular lumbar punctures which require being put to sleep and will continue to receive treatment until May 2020.

She is also one of more than 2,600 children with ALL who are taking part in a clinical trial to see if it is possible to reduce side effects of current treatment and reduce the chance of relapse.

Mum Kathryn, 35, a teacher, said: “The treatment made her quite poorly to start with, but thankfully we have come through the harshest phase and Edith was keen to get back to school as soon as she was well enough."

Dad Lewis added: “We are so proud of her, especially when we stop and think what she has been through and what is still to come. As parents you just have to get on with it. You see how brave Edith is and it makes you be brave too.”