The Princess of Wales today spoke to genocide survivors during an emotional Holocaust Memorial Service in London.
Kate, 43, joined her husband Prince William, 42, who himself paid tribute to those who lost their lives during an official event to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of former Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The ceremony at Guildhall – which is being shown on BBC1 at 7pm tonight – brought together faith and civic leaders as well as survivors of the Holocaust and more recent genocides.
Princess Kate, wearing all black with a five-string pearl necklace, and William, dressed in a navy suit and blue tie, described it as a ‘great honour’ to attend as they met with a group of survivors who told her of their heartrendering personal stories.
This included an emotional reunion with Steven Frank, 89, whom Kate met four years ago when the pair shared a hug in touching scenes in which she told him: ‘I want to give you a big cuddle.’
Kate had taken a photo of Mr Frank and his grandchildren in 2020 as part of the ‘Generations: Portrait of Holocaust Survivors’ project that at the time marked 75 years since the end of the genocide.
He thanked her for sending him a Christmas card and the pair chatted about his family.
She also warmly embraced survivor Yvonne Bernstein, 87 – who also had her picture taken by the Princess in 2020 – before Kate clasped her hands and sat beside her and said: ‘(It is) such a treat for me (to see) an old friend.’
William and Kate were greeted on arrival by Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, and its chairwoman of trustees Laura Marks.
Steven Frank, 89, embarces the Princess of Wales during an emotional Holocaust Memorial Service in London
She also warmly embraced survivor Yvonne Bernstein, 87 before Kate clasped her hands and sat beside her and said: ‘(It is) such a treat for me (to see) an old friend’
Prince William holds a candle at a ceremony to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in London
The annual event remembers the six million Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust, as well as the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution and those who died in subsequent genocides.
Kate posed for a photograph with Bergen-Belsen survivor Rachel Levy and another survivor, Robert George Berkowitz told the Princess: ‘William is the luckiest man in the world to have you!’ She giggled and replied: ‘I will tell him that!’
Speaking to Ms Marks-Woldman, Kate described the commemorations as ‘so important’, adding: ‘It is great to be here today with my husband.’
The pair were then shown to the Old Library where they met with two tables of survivors and their families.
The roughly 50 Holocaust survivors in attendance were then gathered for a group photo, with the royals initially continuing to chat with their table as they assembled.
William and Kate joined the photo alongside Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Labour deputy leader Angela Rayner.
Once taken, Sir Keir could be heard saying to one survivor that the photo was ‘fantastic’.
All guests then moved to the Great Hall for a special ceremony.
The hall’s walls, ceiling and chandeliers were lit purple as the London Youth Chamber Choir performed with an orchestra on stage.
Princess Kate lights a candle during the service at Guildhall, which brought together faith and civic leaders as well as survivors of the Holocaust and more recent genocides
Kate clasps hold of Mrs Bernstein’s hand. The Princess took a photo fo her in 2020 as part of the ‘Generations: Portrait of Holocaust Survivors’ project
The Princess of Wales meets more genocide survivors. She described it as a ‘great honour’ to attend
Inside the Guildhall’s Great Hall, the royal couple watched on solemnly as survivors shared their testimonies.
Several extracts from memoirs written by Jewish people during the Holocaust were read out, including by TV personality Robert Rinder, while the testimonies of survivors were also played on TV screens.
In a short speech, 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 scars, both mental and physical.
‘Their bravery, in sharing with us the most harrowing moments of their lives, are extremely powerful and ensure that we never forget. I assure them we never will.’
The prince then read an extract from the book Holocaust Heroes, which made reference to the efforts made by his great-grandmother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, to help a Jewish family in need.
Giving his own speech, Sir Keir said the Holocaust was a ‘collective endeavour’ by ordinary people ‘consumed by the hatred of difference’.
The Prime Minister said: ‘We start by remembering the six million Jewish victims and by defending the truth against anyone who would deny it. So we will have a National Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre to speak this truth for eternity.
‘But as we remember, we must also act. Because we say never again, but where was never again in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur, or the acts of genocide against Yazidi.
‘Today, we have to make those words mean more. So we will make Holocaust education a truly national endeavour.’
Genocide survivors Steven Frank and Rachell Levy light a candle together during the ceremony
Sir Keir said all schools would teach the Holocaust and give opportunities to hear a recorded survivor testimony so that ‘we can develop that empathy for others and that appreciation of our common humanity, which is the ultimate way to defeat the hatred of difference’.
Other political attendees at the event were Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey, as well as the Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.
At the end of the ceremony William and Kate each appeared on stage to gather a flame and light their own candles.
According to convention the heir to the throne meets with the Prime Minister annually, but there will be no public read out of their discussions behind closed doors.
Earlier in the day today, William had a meeting with Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan at Windsor Castle where they discussed relations between the two countries.
The couple also attended events for Holocaust Memorial Day in 2020 to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, where they met survivors.
In November 2021, Kate opened the Holocaust Gallery at London’s Imperial War Museum – while the couple visited the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin in July 2017.
Meanwhile, King Charles will become the first British head of state to visit Auschwitz when he travels to Poland today to tour the site and commemorate the 80th anniversary with foreign monarchs, presidents, prime ministers and survivors.
January 27, 2020 — William and Kate on Holocaust Memorial Day at Westminster Central Hall
November 10, 2021 — Kate at London’s Imperial War Museum to open the Holocaust Gallery
July 19, 2017 – Wiliam and Kate visit the Holocaust Memorial in Berlin during a tour of Germany
Kate’s appearance at today’s events is another milestone on her return to duties, nearly a fortnight after she carried out her first significant solo engagement in more than a year on January 14 when she visited the Royal Marsden Hospital in London.
The Princess has endured a hugely challenging past 12 months which saw her undergo abdominal surgery, be diagnosed with cancer and face chemotherapy treatment.
But 43-year-old Kate revealed earlier this month that she is now in remission from cancer, one year since she was admitted to hospital for an operation on January 16, 2024.
That came days after Prince William praised his wife as the ‘most incredible wife and mother’, saying ‘the strength you’ve shown over the last year has been remarkable’.
William previously described 2024 as a ‘brutal’ and probably ‘the hardest year’ of his life, with his father the King also diagnosed with cancer last February.
As well as the health woes, Kate and William have faced other personal challenges in recent years – dealing with the fallout from Megxit and the allegations levelled at them by the Sussexes amid William’s ongoing rift with his younger brother Prince Harry.
Prince William has a meeting with Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan at Windsor Castle today
Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan is welcomed by Prince William at Windsor Castle today
Prince William speaks with Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan at Windsor Castle today
Last January, Kate spent nearly two weeks in the London Clinic after her major abdominal surgery, and was recuperating at home when she was told she had cancer and had to begin chemotherapy.
She shared heartfelt updates on her cancer treatment throughout the year, having previously endured spiralling online conspiracy theories about her health and whereabouts after her operation.
Speculation worsened when Kensington Palace released a Mother’s Day photograph of Kate and her three children on March 10, and photo agencies later ‘killed’ the image when it turned out to have been digitally altered.
The princess made a public apology and admitted having edited the photograph, and she was seen soon afterwards, smiling as she visited a farm shop in Windsor with William.
Then just days later on March 22, Kate revealed in a shock video message that she was undergoing chemotherapy after post-operative tests showed she had cancer.
She described the development as a ‘huge shock’, but vowed ‘I am going to be OK’ and asked for time, space and privacy.
Good wishes flooded in from around the world and the King was said to be ‘so proud’ of his ‘beloved daughter-in-law’ for her courage in speaking out about her diagnosis.
January 14, 2025 — The Princess of Wales talks with a patient at the Royal Marsden Hospital
December 25, 2024 — William, Kate and their children at church in Sandringham, Norfolk
December 6, 2024 — Charlotte, Louis and Kate during the Westminster Abbey carol service
In June, a new photo and written message to the nation came from Kate ahead of a brief return to the public spotlight at Trooping the Colour – her first official engagement of the year and since her diagnosis.
The Princess in candid words revealed she was ‘making good progress’ but had ‘good days and bad days’, was ‘not out of the woods yet’ and was facing a few more months of treatment.
She was pictured in the grounds of the Windsor Castle estate, standing in a tranquil setting against a weeping willow tree near a lake.
At the Trooping, the princess rode in a closed carriage with her children and appeared on the balcony, and in July went to the Wimbledon men’s final with Charlotte.
In September, she confirmed she had completed her treatment, but revealed in a deeply personal video how she, William and their children had faced an ‘incredibly tough’ time.
‘The last nine months have been incredibly tough for us as a family,’ she said, adding: ‘The cancer journey is complex, scary and unpredictable for everyone, especially those closest to you.’
December 3, 2024 — Kate joins William to welcome the Emir of Qatar for a state visit to London
November 10, 2024 — Kate and Sophie at the Remembrance Sunday service at the Cenotaph
The princess, who is expected to continue her gradual return to public duties with more appearances this year, said: ‘Doing what I can to stay cancer free is now my focus.
‘Although I have finished chemotherapy, my path to healing and full recovery is long and I must continue to take each day as it comes.’
Her words were narrated over stylised footage showing the Waleses and their children enjoying the outdoors, walking through woods, and the couple cuddling as they held hands.
In October, Kate was pictured hugging aspiring photographer Liz Hatton, who had a rare and aggressive form of cancer, after inviting her to take pictures at William’s Windsor Castle investiture.
The teenager died just eight weeks later, with the prince and princess paying tribute.
November 9, 2024 — The Royal Albert Hall Festival of Remembrance at the Royal Albert Hall
October 10, 2024 — Kate and William meet the emergency services in Southport, Merseyside
On October 10, Kate made a surprise visit with William to meet the bereaved families of the Southport stabbing victims in Merseyside.
During the Remembrance weekend in November, she appeared at the Royal Albert Hall Festival of Remembrance in honour of the nation’s war dead, and at the Cenotaph, where the Duchess of Edinburgh placed a comforting hand on Kate’s back in a show of support.
In December, the princess joined the King and William on Horse Guards Parade to welcome the Emir of Qatar to the UK at a state visit, another step on the road back to her public role.
She brought Christmas cheer with her annual carol concert in Westminster Abbey, where she gathered with William and their children, other royals, and celebrities such as Paloma Faith and Richard E Grant.
Kate spoke to Faith of ‘challenging times’ and said she had not anticipated what the past year would bring.
October 2, 2024 — Kate hugs aspiring photographer Liz Hatton, who had cancer, after inviting her to take pictures at William’s Windsor Castle investiture. The girl died eight weeks later
September 9, 2024 — Kate confirmed she had completed her treatment, but revealed in a deeply personal video how she, William and their children had faced an ‘incredibly tough’ time
The princess planned the service with help from Lady Gabriella Windsor, after inviting the recently-widowed Ella, whose husband, Thomas Kingston, took his own life in February, to contribute.
The Princess rounded off December by joining her family at church in Sandringham on Christmas Day.
She then made a visit to the Royal Marsden Hospital on January 17, where she offered comfort to cancer patients and their families. telling them: ‘There is light at the end of that tunnel.’
Kate – who was making an emotional return to the hospital where she was treated, – spoke candidly about her own diagnosis, the ‘shock’ of her ‘really tough’ chemotherapy and the challenges of getting back to normal.
Later that day, she revealed in a written personal message that she is in remission from cancer, describing her ‘relief’ and saying ‘there is much to look forward to’.
The princess said, in her message which was signed ‘C’: ‘It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focussed on recovery. As anyone who has experienced a cancer diagnosis will know, it takes time to adjust to a new normal.
‘I am however looking forward to a fulfilling year ahead. There is much to look forward to. Thank you to everyone for your continued support.’
July 14, 2024 — The Princess in the royal box on day 14 of the Wimbledon Championships
June 15, 2024 — William and Kate at Trooping the Colour on the Buckingham Palace balcony
William and Kate look set to carry out an overseas visit together this year, with the prince hinting as much.
‘I think hopefully Catherine will be doing a bit more next year, so we’ll have some more trips maybe lined up,’ he said during his tour to Cape Town last autumn.
Kate has not taken part in an official foreign visit for 15 months, since she attended the Rugby World Cup in France in October 2023.
The Waleses are also launching a new mental health pilot this year to boost support for those living on the Sandringham Estate and surrounding area.
The couple are co-funding a programme with Norfolk and Waveney Mind, which will provide counselling and targeted groups for often-isolated rural and farming communities.
It is also hoped that Kate will make a triumphant return to the red carpet at the Bafta film awards along with William at London’s Royal Festival Hall on February 16.
Holocaust Memorial Day 2025 will be broadcast on BBC One at 7pm this evening
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