Ahead of Monday’s UK National Ceremony commemorating 80 years since the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the Princess of Wales had an emotional reunion with two Holocaust survivors she had photographed in 2020.
At a reception for about fifty survivors of the Nazi campaign and subsequent genocides, Catherine gave Yvonne Bernstein and Steven Frank hugs, telling them it was a “treat” to see them again.
The two women held hands as she sat catching up to Yvonne, who stroked the Princess’ arm and thanked her for attending.
“It was such a treat for me to come and see an old friend,” Catherine said, sporting a black sweater, a five-string pearl necklace, and a black coat over black wide-leg pants.
After greeting the 87-year-old with the words, “It’s so nice to see you,” she added, “You’ve had such a hard time, haven’t you?” after learning that Yvonne had experienced some health issues.
The 89-year-old Steven thanked Catherine for sending him a Christmas card and they talked about his family. Catherine also gave him a warm embrace.
William sat with Sabina Kadic-Mackenzie, a Bosnian genocide survivor who now resides in Liverpool, and Alfred Garwood, a Polish man who survived Bergen-Belsen as a child.
William stated: “George is reaching the age where he’s beginning to understand things,” as the Prince and Princess talked about their wish to teach their kids about the Holocaust. Thus, discussing what transpired with him is becoming more intriguing.
He said, “There is a lot of history at this table, we need to hear it all,” and apologized for not being able to talk for longer.
Lady Milena Grenfell-Baines was asked by Catherine if she kept a journal. It is crucial that these tales be preserved in writing. The stories are still relevant today.
Laura Marks, the chair of the charity’s trustees, and Olivia Marks-Woldman, the CEO of HMD, greeted the couple upon their arrival.
William remarked, “It’s unbelievable that 80 years have passed.” “It’s staggering.”
Asked the Princess if she was feeling well, Catherine said, “Thank you, it’s good to be able to be here.”
Before meeting up with Steven and Yvonne again, she added, “It will be good to see them again.”
William remarked, “We are happy to be here.” “It’s important to be here.”
The royal couple then posed for a picture with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner, and fifty Holocaust survivors.
Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, former home secretary Sajid Javid, and home secretary Yvette Cooper were among the other politicians who met with survivors and their families during the reception.
“William is the luckiest man in the world to have you!” said survivor Robert George Berkowitz to the Princess as Catherine posed for a picture with Bergen-Belsen survivor Rachel Levy.
With a laugh, she said, “I will tell him that!”
The royal couple listened solemnly as survivors gave their testimonies inside the Great Hall of the Guildhall.
“I am honored to join you today to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and to remember the millions murdered during the Holocaust and in subsequent genocides,” William said as he read to the guests.
“We also honor survivors who have endured physical and psychological trauma.”
“Their courage in sharing the most terrifying experiences of their lives with us is incredibly powerful and guarantees that we will never forget. We never will, I tell them.”
He read a passage from the book Holocaust Heroes about how Princess Alice of Battenberg, his great-grandmother, defended a Jewish family in Athens from the Nazis.
“It has been a great honor for Catherine and I to join you all today,” he concluded.
After being imprisoned at Theresienstadt when Auschwitz was liberated in 1945 at the age of nine, Steven spoke later about his reunion with the Princess, saying: “She’s just such a darling, you know? She is simply such a sweetheart.”
“When I get home and tell my grandchildren everything, they will be ecstatic. Catherine is a lovely person who is kind and warm. It was a pleasure to meet her. And I thought she looked good, too. She told me she was fine when I asked how she was, which is also a good thing.”
Hosted by BBC presenter Reeta Chakrabarti, the moving ceremony lasted an hour and included testimonies from Holocaust and other genocide survivors, music, and archive footage intercut with readings by TV star Rob Rinder and actress Bel Powley.
In the most poignant part, survivors and the Prince and Princess alternately lit commemorative candles on stage while cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason played Schindler’s List.
Thanking them for coming, Olivia Marks-Woldman said: “Your presence and contributions today send a powerful message at this time of increased Holocaust distortion and inversion of the imperative of safeguarding the historical record and for us all to take personal responsibility to uphold the truth of the past and work towards a better future.”
She went on to say in a follow-up statement: “The Prince and Princess of Wales are showing true leadership during a time when communities are feeling so alone and vulnerable, but they weren’t just joining us; they were actively participating. We can all learn a lot from that. As we unite on Holocaust Memorial Day, we can all come together, be present, and take action based on what we’ve learned.“
