THE Princess of Wales paid a touching tribute to the late Queen as she stepped out to pay her respects during an emotional Holocaust Memorial Service in London.
Kate, 41, looked effortlessly chic as she joined her husband, Prince William, 41, to honour those who lost their lives.
Catherine, Princess of Wales, at a Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony[/caption]
The Princess of Wales lights a candle at a Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony[/caption]
The event marked the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the former Nazi concentration camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.
During the reception, Kate embraced Holocaust survivors, including around 50 individuals who had endured the Nazi regime and subsequent genocides.
She also had a heartfelt reunion with Yvonne Bernstein and Stephen Frank – two Holocaust survivors she had photographed in 2020 as part of a project commemorating the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
For the occasion, Kate looked elegant in a black coat paired with black wide-leg trousers and a black sweater.
She completed the look with a five-strand pearl necklace that once belonged to the late Queen Elizabeth II – a poignant nod to Her Majesty.
Taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, eagle-eyed fans quickly noticed her choice of jewellery.
One royal fan wrote: “Wearing Queen Elizabeth’s pearl suite, the Princess of Wales honours Her Late Majesty at this year’s Holocaust remembrance service. A very touching tribute.”
A second added: “The Princess of Wales – wearing a five-string pearl necklace that belonged to the late Queen – warmly greeted Holocaust survivors Stephen Frank and Yvonne Bernstein, telling Mr Frank: ‘It’s like seeing an old friend, it really is.’”
During the reception at London’s Guildhall, Kate was seen catching up with Yvonne, with the two women holding hands as they spoke. Yvonne stroked the Princess’s arm and thanked her for attending.
Kate greeted the 87-year-old warmly, saying: “It’s so nice to see you.”
After learning that Yvonne had faced some recent health challenges, Kate added: “You’ve had such a hard time, haven’t you?”
In 2024, Kate underwent chemotherapy but has now revealed that she is in remission following her cancer battle.
She has been “forever changed” by her cancer treatment, according to a royal expert.
Vanity Fair’s royal correspondent Katie Nicholl shared on The Sun’s Royal Exclusive show: “She did a lot of running up and down the country, juggling that with the three children doing the overseas tours.
Kate Middleton hugging a Holocaust survivor at a Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony[/caption]
Catherine, Princess of Wales lighting a candle at a Holocaust Memorial Day ceremony[/caption]
“People would be quite surprised to learn just how hands on William and Catherine are as parents.
“And I think this is just, well, it’s a wake up call, isn’t it?
“This is a real reality check for her.
“And so I think it’s a case of what Kensington Palace are describing as a very gradual return to work that’s very much on her terms.
“And I think that’s how it should be.”
Kate Middleton’s affectionate nickname for father-in-law King Charles
HE may be the King of England to us regular folk, but Charles is just ‘grandpa’ to his daughter-in-law Kate Middleton.
Princess Kate appeared to have used the moniker for her father-in-law during a meeting at the G7 summit in 2021, according to a lip reader.
Upon arriving, the duchess greeted her father-in-law, and a lip reader told CornwallLive that she said: “Hello Grandpa, how are you?”
King Charles is grandfather to Kate and William’s three adorable kids – Princes George and Louis and cheeky Princess Charlotte – so the name is only fitting.
His Majesty reportedly has a couple of affectionate names for Kate, including “beloved daughter-in-law” and “darling daughter-in-law.”
