By james art 
Kate joined her husband, the Prince of Wales, who described their presence as a “great honour” at the Guildhall in central London on the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
The annual event commemorates the six million Jews killed during the Holocaust, as well as the millions more killed during Nazi persecution and those who died in subsequent genocides.
William, wearing a navy suit and blue tie, and Kate, dressed in all black, were greeted on their arrival by Olivia Marks-Waldman, chief executive of the Holocaust Remembrance Day Trust, and its chair of trustees, Laura Marks.
Speaking to Mrs Marks-Waldman, Kate described the celebrations as “so important”, adding: “It’s great to be here today with my husband.”
The pair were then shown to the Old Library where they met two tables of survivors and their families.
After formal handshakes, Kate gave one survivor, Yvonne Bernstein, 87, a warm hug before they shook hands as they sat together and talked.
The princess said, “(It is) such a pleasure for me (to see) an old friend.”
At the second table, Kate also hugged and talked at length with fellow survivor Stephen Frank BEM, 89.
Mr Frank was photographed by the Princess to mark the 75th anniversary in 2020.
Asked about his interaction with Kate after the event, he told reporters: “She’s such a sweetheart.
“She knew my name straight away – such a lovely person. My grandchildren would be thrilled.
Asked about his ongoing efforts to share his expertise, Mr Frank added: “It has become something of a mission. Most people say “You do it because it helps you mentally get it off your chest”.
“I’m doing it because I’ve been so lucky to come to this country and live, love, play sports, have a nice family, and it’s time to give something back.”
The 50 or so Holocaust survivors in attendance were then gathered for a group photo, with the royals initially continuing to chat at their table as they gathered.
William and Kate joined the picture alongside Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and Deputy Labor leader Angela Rayner.
Once captured, Sir Keir can be heard telling one survivor that the photo was “fantastic”.
All guests then moved into the Great Hall for a special ceremony.
The walls, ceiling and chandeliers of the hall were lit in purple as the London Youth Chamber Choir performed with an orchestra on stage.
Several excerpts from memoirs written by Jews during the Holocaust, including by TV personality Robert Rinder, were read, while testimonies of survivors were also played on television screens.
In a short speech, William said: “I am honored to join you today to mark Holocaust Remembrance Day and to remember the millions killed during the Holocaust and in the genocides that followed.
“We also remember those survivors who have lived with scars, both mentally and physically.
“Their courage in sharing with us the most harrowing moments of their lives is extremely powerful and ensures that we will never forget.” I assure them we will never do that.”
The prince then read an extract from the book “Heroes of the Holocaust”, which spoke about the efforts made by his great-grandmother, Princess Alice of Battenberg, to help a Jewish family in need.
Delivering his own speech, Sir Keir said the Holocaust was a “collective enterprise” of ordinary people “consumed by hatred of difference”.
The Prime Minister said: “We begin 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 a training center 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 the Yazidis.
“Today we must make these words mean more. So we’re going to make Holocaust education a real national effort.”
Sir Keir said all schools would teach about the Holocaust and give the opportunity to hear recorded testimonies from survivors so that “we can develop that empathy for others and that appreciation of our common humanity which is the best way to defeat hatred of the differences’.
Other political attendees at the event included Home Secretary Yvette Cooper and Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey, as well as Metropolitan Police Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley.
At the end of the ceremony, William and Kate appeared on stage to gather a flame and light their own candles.
Ms Marks-Waldman said: “Your Royal Highnesses, your presence and contributions today send a powerful message at this time about the growing distortion and reversal of the Holocaust, the imperative to preserve the historical record and for all of us to take personal responsibility to uphold the truth for the past and work for a better future.”