The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge started the 2nd day of the Poland tour. The first stop of the day is Stutthoff Concentration Camp in Gdansk. After last night’s dazzling reception, the day was scheduled to be very sombre and heartfelt.
Stutthof was the first Nazi Germany Concentration Camp set up outside German borders, about 20 miles from Gdansk, in September 1939 and one of the last camps liberated by the Allies in May 1945.
Around 110,000 people, men, women and children, from 28 countries were imprisoned in Stutthof, whereas many as 65,000, including 28,000 members of the Jewish community died.
William and Kate at the Stutthof concentration camp pic.twitter.com/d9WmBFbHR0
— Victoria Murphy (@byQueenVic) July 18, 2017
Stutthof is now run as a museum. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge met the senior staff from the institution before being taken to barracks and shown discarded shoes from Holocaust victims.
The Duke and Duchess were shown a series of exhibits that illustrate the conditions in which prisoners had to live at Stutthof.
The visit to the former Nazi camp was a deeply emotional one as the royal couple met the survivors of the traumatic holocaust among them were Mr Manfred Goldberg and Mr Zigi Shipper. As reported by The Telegraph,
Mr Goldberg, 87, called the day a “seismic event”, admitting he had hesitated return to Stutthof but had decided to “finally face the past” with the Royal couple by his side.
Mr Shipper, who survived Auschwitz-Birkenau before being sent to Stutthof, said the visit “means so much” as he paid tribute to the friends, including Mr Goldberg, who saved his life by supporting him on the final death march when they were both just 15.
Their Royal Highnesses were led in a short prayer and left Stutthof through what was known as the ‘Death Gate’ by survivors Zigi and Manfred. As per the royal reporter Richard Palmer, Prince William told concentration camp survivor Zigi Shipper today: “It’s my honour to meet you.”
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge with Mr Zigi and Mr Goldberg at the ‘Death Gate’ of the former Nazi camp.
During the emotional visit to the Nazi Camp, The Duke and Duchess signed the visitor’s book at Stutthof concentration camp. After that Royal couple headed towards Gdansk Town to experience the traditional Polish market.
At the Polish market, the royal couple received a warm and grand welcome from the Polish people.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge then joined the Gdańsk Mayor Pawel Adamowicz for the street party in the town market.
The couple enjoyed the local delicacy – Goldwasser a traditional liqueur with flakes of gold and some delicious pierogi in the market. They were shown a demonstration of amber processing. Gdansk is famous for its amber as Prince William and Catherine were able to see for themselves.
The next stop of the day was Gdansk Shakespeare theatre. The Prince of Wales is the patron of the theatre, where the royal couple watched a performance.
They also met the crew members of the Shakespearean theatre and attended a small reception inside the theatre for Poles from the world of arts, culture and media
The final stop of the day’s agenda was the European Solidarity Centre, in Gdansk’s shipyards, the birthplace of the Solidarity movement in Poland.
Prince William and Catherine toured the museum and met with the founding members of Solidarity. At the centre, The Duke and Duchess placed cards on a solidarity wall that is covered in personal messages from the public.
On departure, they walked through the iconic shipyard gates, a key symbol of the protests during the 1980s, before laying flowers at the foot of the Solidarity Monument to Fallen Shipyard Workers, who died during the suppression of workers’ strike in 1970.
Today, The Duchess of Cambridge, Catherine, stepped out wearing a sombre white two-piece floral ensemble from the Spring Summer 2017 collection of Erdem.
The ensemble includes a printed custom-made Erdem Imari Print Floral Top with Erdem imari Skirt. The skirt is the classic midi length in Hurst Rose print made of cotton faille with a slight sheen. The versatile fabric helps hold the silhouette of the skirt. It has a feminine volume created by tucked folds, a fitted high waist, pockets and concealed zip at the centre back.
The top worn by Catherine is not available as it was a custom piece made to be paired with the skirt. The waist-length top features what seems to be a square neck, elbow-length sleeves with side zipper.
The Duchess paired her outfit with new Stuart Weitzman Nearly Nude Sandals. Made from glossy beige patent-leather, this pair features two slim straps and a manageable block heel. The sandals are available at Net-A-Porter for $400 in the same tone as well as in black. They are also currently available on the official online store of Stuart Weitzman and Nordstrom.
Catherine was carrying a matching clutch from Polish brand Etui Clutch with her favourite Cartier Ballon Bleu watch that is available at Saks Fifth Avenue.
The Duchess of Cambridge was seen wearing a new Polish Milk Amber Earrings and Pendent. The set is made of Amber stone in gold known as Milk Amber. It is believed that it could be a gift from Polish First Lady to The Duchess.
Another Look at The Duchess’ outfit of the day from different angles.
Princess Charlotte sweetly following in Uncle Harry’s footsteps, she’s wearing his 1986 shoes in Poland #PrinceHarry pic.twitter.com/nX2tSO9870
— Roya Nikkhah (@RoyaNikkhah) July 18, 2017
This royal tour held another memorable moment. Cute little Princess Charlotte was seen wearing her Uncle Prince Harry’s shoes, that he wore during the Wales tour to Poland in 1986. Tomorrow the royal couple will head towards Germany for the second leg of the tour where they will be staying at the Ambassadors’ residence.
