Prince William says 'We are glad we are here' after the Princess of Wales' 'last-minute' decision

The Princess of Wales marked Holocaust Memorial Day alongside her husband Prince William. Her Royal Highness reportedly made a "last-minute" decision to join the Prince of Wales on Monday at a service commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day and the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

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Following her arrival, Catherine, who revealed earlier this month that she is in remission, said (via The Sun's Matt Wilkinson) that "it's good to be able to be here." William also said, "We are glad we are here," noting, "It's important to be here."

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The Princess of Wales reunited on Jan. 27 with Yvonne Bernstein and Steven Frank, two Holocaust survivors whom Her Royal Highness has previously photographed. Per HOLA! USA's sister brand HELLO!, Yvonne thanked Catherine for coming. "It was such a treat for me to come and see an old friend," the Princess said.

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The Princess photographed Yvonne and Stephen with their respective grandchildren back in 2020 for a project to mark 75 years since the end of the Holocaust. In a statement at the time, Catherine said: "The harrowing atrocities of the Holocaust, which were caused by the most unthinkable evil, will forever lay heavy in our hearts. Yet it is so often through the most unimaginable adversity that the most remarkable people flourish."

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"Despite unbelievable trauma at the start of their lives, Yvonne and Steven Frank are two of the most life-affirming people that I have had the privilege to meet," the Princess added. "They look back on their experiences with sadness but also with gratitude that they were some of the lucky few to make it through. Their stories will stay with me forever.”

The Waleses' Instagram account shared the portraits again on Monday, in addition to photos of the Princess from her reunion with Steven and Yvonne, writing: "So wonderful to see Holocaust survivors Steven Frank and Yvonne Bernstein, who were photographed by The Princess with their grandchildren back in 2020. It is so important to come together, learn both from and about the past, and to take actions to make a better future for all."

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Footage of Catherine's reunion was included in a video posted by the Waleses' social media accounts. "A solemn moment of remembrance and hope for the future at today’s Holocaust Memorial Day service," the video was captioned. "Honoured to take part in this important event to commemorate the lives lost in the Holocaust and other genocides."

The Prince of Wales spoke at the ceremony commemorating Holocaust Memorial Day in London on Jan. 27, 2025.  "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. We also remember those survivors who have lived with the scars, both mental and physical," the heir to the throne said. "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."