William And Kate Attend Holocaust Memorial Day Ceremony
On Monday, Prince William and Kate attended the Holocaust Memorial Day commemorative ceremony in Westminster. The event takes place every year on January 27. This year marks 75-years since the liberation of Auschwitz and 25-years since the end of the genocide in Bosnia.
The annual commemoration, which is supported by one of Prince Charles’ patronages- the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, includes more than 10,000 educational activities taking place across the UK on 27 January.
There are a series of events taking place across Europe to mark the solemn anniversary. Prince Charles’s wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall will represent Britain at the memorial event in Poland at the site where the extermination camp used to stand.
Prince William and Kate met with Holocaust survivors and those of more recent genocides while the Prince also shortly gave a reading. They were introduced to men and women who have witnessed horror such as the genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
For the occasion Duchess Kate opted for a grey fit-and-flare coat dress by one of her go-to labels, Catherine Walker.
Prince William and Kate’s appearance comes after the Palace released touching behind the scenes photographs of keen photographer Kate; who can be seen laughing with and chatting with Holocaust survivors, Yvonne Bernstein and Steven Frank.
“Despite unbelievable trauma at the start of their lives, Yvonne Bernstein and Steven Frank are two of the most life-affirming people that I have had the privilege to meet,” the Duchess of Cambridge said in a statement.
“They look back on their experiences with sadness but also with gratitude that they were some of the lucky few to make it through.
“It is vital that their memories are preserved and passed on to future generations, so that what they went through will never be forgotten.
“Their stories will stay with me forever.”