Prince William’s trip to the Middle East was officially to meet with leaders of countries in the troubled region, but a journey to a tomb in Jerusalem made this trip significant in an unexpected way.

Although she died in London in 1969, she left specific instructions to be buried outside Jerusalem’s walled old city next to her aunt.

William was fortunate enough to meet Philippe Cohen, who helped him understand how Princess Alice risked her life to save his great-grandmother Rachel Cohen by sheltering her from the Nazis.

Alice's life of sacrifice

Her act of bravery is especially remarkable given that she was not only deaf, but suffered schizophrenia for most of her life.

In honor of her example, she has since been awarded Israel’s highest honor for a non-Jew, ‘Righteous Among the Nations’. Now that's a great chance encounter!

Princess Alice of Battenberg