It’s also their first engagement together of 2025.
Kate Middleton and Prince William have made their first official joint appearance of the year and her first royal engagement since announcing she was in remission. On Monday, the Prince and Princess of Wales attended a London ceremony honoring Holocaust Memorial Day and marking the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the largest Nazi death camp, Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Middleton wore a sophisticated all-black look for the occasion featuring a long dress layered under a matching tailored blazer. Middleton sartorially paid tribute to the victims and survivors of the tragedy with pearl jewelry—including a five-strand pearl necklace that previously belonged to Queen Elizabeth and her Bahrain drop earrings. According to Town and Country, the stone has been associated with mourning since Queen Victoria wore pearls after her husband Prince Albert’s death in 1861. For his part, William matched his wife in a black suit with a deep purple tie.
During the service held at Guildhall, the Prince and Princess of Wales lit candles together, as well as greeted Holocaust survivors, including Steven Frank, whom Middleton met four years ago during the ‘Generations: Portrait of Holocaust Survivors’ project, per the Daily Mail. Middleton also said hello to and hugged another survivor, Yvonne Bernstein, who she also met back in 2020. According to the outlet, Middleton remarked that, “[It is] such a treat for me [to see] an old friend.”
While speaking with Middleton, survivor Robert George Berkowitz also told the princess that her husband “is the luckiest man in the world to have you,” per the Daily Mail. Middleton reportedly responded with a laugh saying, “I will tell him that!”
The joint appearance marks Middleton’s first royal engagement since announcing her remission earlier this month. After January 14’s visit the Royal Marsen Hospital, where she received cancer treatment last year, Middleton announced on social media that she was officially in remission.
“It is a relief to now be in remission and I remain focussed on recovery,” she wrote on X. “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.”
