ROYAL RESPECT
Kate hugs Holocaust survivors & lights candle at emotional memorial event as she says ‘it’s good to be able to be here’
Kate met with survivors whom she photographed five years ago
KATE hugged Holocaust survivors at a reception for around 50 survivors of the Nazi campaign and survivors of subsequent genocides, telling them it was a "treat" to see them again.
The Princess of Wales had an emotional reunion with Yvonne Bernstein and Stephen Frank - two Holocaust survivors she photographed in 2020, ahead of a UK National Ceremony to mark 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
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As she sat catching up with Yvonne, the two women held hands, with Yvonne stroking the Princess's arm and thanking her for coming at the reception held at London's Guildhall.
Kate, in a black coat over black wide-leg trousers and a black sweater with a five-string pearl necklace, said: “It was such a treat for me to come and see an old friend."
She had greeted the 87-year-old Yvonne saying: "It's so nice to see you".
And after hearing that Yvonne had suffered some health problems, she added: "You've had such a hard time, haven't you?"
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Kate also shared a warm hug with Stephen, 89, who thanked her for sending him a Christmas card and the two chatted about his family.
William sat with Polish born Alfred Garwood, who survived Bergen-Belsen as a child and Bosnian genocide survivor Sabina Kadic-Mackenzie, who now lives in Liverpool.
Both the Prince and Princess discussed their desire to teach their children about the Holocaust, with William saying: "George is getting to the age where he's starting to understand things.
"So it's getting interesting to talk to him about what happened."
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Apologising that they couldn't spend longer talking, he said: "There is a lot of history at this table, we need to hear it all."
Kate asked Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines: "Do you write a diary? It's so important that these stories are written down. They are still relevant stories."
King Charles pays touching tribute to 6 million Jews who died in Holocaust
On arrival the couple were welcomed by Olivia Marks-Woldman, HMD chief executive and Laura Marks, the charity's chair of trustees.
"I can't believe it's been 80 years," said William. "It's staggering."
Telling the Princess she was glad she was feeling well, Kate replied: "Thank you, it's good to be able to be here."
Speaking ahead of her reunion with Stephen and Yvonne, she added: "It will be good to see them again."
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"We are glad we are here," said William. "It's important to be here."
The royal couple then joined 50 Holocaust survivors for a photograph, along with prime minister Sir Keir Starmer and deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
Other politicians meeting survivors and their families in the reception included home secretary Yvette Cooper, former home secretary Sajid Javid and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey.
The two Holocaust survivors were photographed by Kate for her 'Generations: Portraits of Holocaust Survivors' exhibition in 2020 at the Imperial War Museum.
Speaking at the event, Prince William said: "I am honoured to join you today to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and to remember the millions murdered during the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides.
"We also remember those survivors, who have lived with the scars both mental and physical.
"Their bravery in sharing with us the most harrowing moments of their lives, are extremely powerful and ensure we never forget.
"I assure them, we never will. On this, the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, we also recall those who risked their own lives to help and save others.
"They risked death, torture and persecution to defy the aggressors. I was recently reminded of my great-grandmother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, who lived in Athens during the Second World War."
Princess Alice helped to shelter Jewish refugees in Athens during the Holocaust after Nazis invaded Greece in the Second World War.
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William then read the book 'Heroes of the Holocaust' describing his great-grandmother's heroics.
William added: "It has been a great honour for Catherine and I to join you all today. Thank you."
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