Skip to content

Duchess of Cambridge takes boat trip with two surviving Windermere Children

PA Media Duchess of Cambridge on WindermerePA Media
Catherine talked with Ike Alter and Diane Stoller during the trip

The Duchess of Cambridge has taken a boat trip on Windermere in the company of two Holocaust survivors.

They were members of group of about 300 orphans brought to Cumbria in 1945 to recuperate after being liberated from a concentration camp in Czechoslovakia.

Having previously heard about the history of the Windermere Children, Catherine had expressed a wish to meet some in person and hear their stories.

She also took part in outdoor activities with air cadets.

Reuters Duchess with Arek HershReuters
The duchess met Holocaust survivor Arek Hersh and his wife Jean

After the boat trip she spoke to some of the relatives of the Windermere Children, who told her how their loved ones' stay in the Lake District helped them recover from the trauma of their childhood experiences and go on to build successful lives.

Allow Twitter content?

This article contains content provided by Twitter. We ask for your permission before anything is loaded, as they may be using cookies and other technologies. You may want to read  and  before accepting. To view this content choose ‘accept and continue’.

In a tweet after her visit, the duchess said: "It was so powerful to hear how their time in the Lakes enjoying outdoor recreation, sport and art therapy, allowed them to be able to begin to rebuild their lives and eventually, their families here in the UK."

PA Media The duchess abseilingPA Media
The duchess tried abseiling while at the RAF Air Cadets Windermere Adventure Training Centre

Also during her visit, Her Royal Highness - who is Honorary Air Commandant of the Royal Air Force Air Cadets - joined a group in outdoor activities, including mountain biking and abseiling.

Itelouwa Odipe, 13, from Lancaster, spoke to her while waiting to abseil, although he decided not to take the drop.

He said: "She said it was really good and I should try it.

"I think she was very kind. Even though she is a royal highness she still does things normal humans do."

PA Media The duchess also joined a bike ridePA Media
Catherine was described by air cadets as "down to earth"

The duchess asked the teenagers about the activities they took part in and how the pandemic had affected their mental health.

Abby Armstrong, 14, from Lancaster, said: "I found out this morning we would be meeting her and it was a total shock. I was just like 'wow'.

"She was very nice and not what I was expecting, she was more down to earth."

Presentational grey line

Follow BBC North East & Cumbria on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].