![\"hug\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/05\/hug-1748259257746.jpg\")
Source: (L&R) Getty Images| Aaron Chown – WPA Pool<\/p>\n
(L) Kate Middleton reunites with holocaust survivor Steven Frank at the Palace garden tea party; (R) Kate Middleton and Steven Frank embrace at the garden tea party.<\/p>\n
May 27 2025, Published 10:14 a.m. ET<\/p>\n
<\/p>\n Kate Middleton is known to religiously follow royal protocol, except when it comes to her children or wearing her hair open. Like her late grandmother-in-law, Queen Elizabeth, the Princess of Wales has always upheld tradition. Yet, during a recent appearance at the Buckingham Palace garden party, <\/a>she shunned protocol for a heartwarming reason. Middleton embraced her old pal and holocaust survivor, Steven Frank, in an emotional reunion.<\/p>\n Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n As reported by People magazine<\/a>, Frank is originally from Amsterdam. Middleton, an avid photographer, had photographed him with his teenage granddaughters in 2020 for a project marking the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. At the time, the Princess said, \u201cThe 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.\u201d <\/p>\n Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n The Duchess of Cambridge has taken two photographs of Holocaust survivors and their grandchildren as part of a project by @HMD_UK<\/a>, @JewishNewsUK<\/a> and @The_RPS<\/a> to mark the 75 years since the end of the Holocaust. <\/p>\n For more information, visit: https:\/\/t.co\/Wja5i91RsZ<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 The Prince and Princess of Wales (@KensingtonRoyal) January 26, 2020<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n According to Tatler,<\/a> it’s generally considered against protocol for royals to hug one another, let alone members of the public, during official engagements. Back in 2020, Frank opened up about his relationship with the then-Duke and Duchess of Cambridge during an interview with People magazine. <\/a>He said, \u201cBoth she and Prince William have been extremely interested in the Holocaust and Memorial Day\u2026There is an interest particularly in letting people know what happened, getting their testimony, and passing it along to other generations.\u201d Frank also praised Middleton\u2019s final portrait of him, saying, \u201cIt is absolutely beautiful. She does capture that light that would have been coming through a window.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n<\/p>\n During the garden tea party, Middleton’s first in two years following her cancer treatment, she also reunited with holocaust survivor Yvonne Bernstein, whose portrait she had photographed alongside Frank\u2019s. In a touching moment, she also received a \u2018\u00a323 tarte au citron’ from the brother of late photographer, Liz Hatton. The Waleses had invited Hatton, who was battling advanced cancer, to Windsor Castle in October 2024. <\/p>\n Article continues below advertisement<\/p>\n Wendy Daunt, a deaf teacher received a hug from Prince William after receiving her Honour at Windsor Castle. pic.twitter.com\/33hJGVRVgT<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 FAN of the Prince & Princess of Wales (@TribesBritannia) May 13, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n Coming back to her recent break from royal protocol, it seems Middleton got her rebel streak from her husband, Prince William. William, too, recently warmly embraced deaf teacher Wendy Daunt during a recent investiture ceremony at Windsor Castle. Daunt revealed that the emotional Prince of Wales hugged her <\/a>following a conversation about his late mother, Princess Diana<\/a>. She told the BBC<\/a>, \u201cI wanted to tell him how proud the deaf community was of his mother, Princess Diana. The respect for BSL that she gave, we’ve kept that all these years, and will never forget that.\u201d She added, \u201cDeaf culture is we always have a hug, so I quickly said, without thinking, ‘Can I have a hug?’His eyes were looking from one to the other, thinking, ‘No, we’re not allowed,’ but he did.\u201d<\/p>\n\n
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