Princess of Wales hugs Holocaust survivors at remembrance event in London

The Princess of Wales hugged and held hands with Holocaust survivors as she attended official commemorations to mark Holocaust Memorial Day.

Kate joined her husband, the Prince of Wales, who described their attendance as “a great honour”, at the Guildhall in central London on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.

The annual event remembers the six million Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust, as well as the millions of other people killed under Nazi persecution and those who died in subsequent genocides.

Kate described the commemorations as “so important”, adding: “It is great to be here today with my husband.”

At the end of the ceremony William and Kate each appeared on stage to gather a flame and light their own candles. / Credit: PA

Roughly 50 Holocaust survivors in attendance / Credit: PA

In a short speech, William said: “I am honoured 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 scars, both mental and physical.

“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.”

The prince then read an extract from the book Holocaust Heroes, which made reference to the efforts made by his great-grandmother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, to help a Jewish family in need.

The Prime Minister has said the Holocaust was a “collective endeavour” by ordinary people “consumed by the hatred of difference”. / Credit: PA

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer also attended and, speaking at the service, said the Holocaust was a “collective endeavour” by ordinary people “consumed by the hatred of difference”.

The Prime Minister said: “We start by remembering the six million Jewish victims and by defending the truth against anyone who would deny it. So we will have a National Holocaust Memorial and Learning Centre to speak this truth for eternity.

“But as we remember, we must also act. Because we say never again, but where was never again in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, Darfur, or the acts of genocide against Yazidi.

“Today, we have to make those words mean more. So we will make Holocaust education a truly national endeavour.”

Sir Keir said all schools would teach the Holocaust and give opportunities to hear a recorded survivor testimony so that “we can develop that empathy for others and that appreciation of our common humanity, which is the ultimate way to defeat the hatred of difference”.