The Princess of Wales shared an emotional reunion with Holocaust survivors Yvonne Bernstein and Steven Frank, whom she had photographed in 2020, ahead of the UK National Ceremony marking 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
At a reception for around 50 survivors of the Holocaust and other genocides, Kate warmly embraced Yvonne and Steven, describing the meeting as a “treat.” As they caught up, Kate and Yvonne held hands, with Yvonne stroking the Princess’s arm and expressing gratitude for her presence. “It was such a treat for me to come and see an old friend,” Kate remarked.
Kate, dressed in a black coat over wide-leg trousers and a black sweater paired with a five-string pearl necklace, greeted Yvonne, 87, with warmth, saying: “It’s so nice to see you.” Upon learning of Yvonne’s recent health struggles, she added, “You’ve had such a hard time, haven’t you?”
The Princess also shared a heartfelt hug with Steven, 89, who thanked her for sending him a Christmas card. The pair chatted about his family before joining other survivors and guests for a commemorative event.
Meanwhile, Prince William spoke with Alfred Garwood, a Polish-born survivor of Bergen-Belsen, and Sabina Kadic-Mackenzie, a Bosnian genocide survivor. Both he and Kate emphasized the importance of teaching their children about the Holocaust. William shared, “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.”
During the event, Kate encouraged Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines to document her experiences, saying, “It’s so important that these stories are written down. They are still relevant.”
Upon arrival, the royal couple was welcomed by Holocaust Memorial Day Trust leaders, including Olivia Marks-Woldman and Laura Marks. Reflecting on the occasion, William said, “I can’t believe it’s been 80 years. It’s staggering.”
The ceremony, hosted at the Guildhall’s Great Hall, included readings, survivor testimonies, and a moving performance of Schindler’s List by cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason. Survivors and attendees, including the Prince and Princess, lit commemorative candles on stage.
In a speech, William honored the survivors, saying, “Their bravery, in sharing with us the most harrowing moments of their lives, is extremely powerful and ensures that we never forget. I assure them we never will.” He also read an excerpt from Holocaust Heroes, recounting how his great-grandmother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, sheltered a Jewish family during the Holocaust.
Reflecting on his reunion with Kate, Steven said, “She’s just such a darling, you know? She’s warm, kind, and a lovely person. My grandchildren will be thrilled when I tell them all about it.”
The event concluded with thanks from Olivia Marks-Woldman, who commended the royal couple’s leadership, saying, “Their presence and contributions send a powerful message… They’re not only providing leadership by joining us but also by actively participating.”
