A COURAGEOUS Holocaust survivor from Harpenden was among guests at a Buckingham Palace garden party hosted by the Queen.

Kitty Hart-Moxon was invited to attend the prestigious occasion after she was put forward by the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust (HMDT) for her services to the charity. The 86-year-old grandmother, who spent eight months working by the gas chambers in Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp, has devoted her life to sharing her past and raising awareness of the Holocaust.

She said: “Our visit to the Buckingham Palace Garden Party was a fantastic experience that my son, Peter, and I enjoyed tremendously.

“We had a close up view of Her Majesty the Queen as she chatted to people being presented to her. We took the opportunity to admire the beautiful royal gardens.

“I feel privileged to attend and would like to thank HMDT for nominating me to attend this marvellous occasion.”

The HMDT supports the national commemoration of Holocaust Memorial Day, which Kitty helped mark earlier this year by speaking at a special service in St Albans.

Olivia Marks-Woldman, chief executive of the HMDT, said: “Kitty has worked tirelessly for decades recounting her life story – in schools, in writing through her books, and on television.

“She has ensured that millions of people have a better understanding of the events of the Holocaust.

“Her Majesty the Queen is Patron of HMDT, and so we were delighted to be able to offer Kitty the opportunity to attend Buckingham Palace in recognition of her work.”