King Charles will mark a historic moment as the first British monarch to visit Auschwitz during the 80th anniversary commemoration of its liberation. The King plans to travel to Poland for a special service with survivors and dignitaries, where he will lay a light of remembrance for the victims. Palace sources describe this as a “deeply personal pilgrimage” for the monarch.
The visit carries particular significance for the Royal Family, as the King’s grandmother, Princess Alice of Greece, sheltered a Jewish family in Nazi-occupied Athens during 1943 โ an act that the King has expressed brings great pride to his family.
In the UK, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has emphasized the importance of Holocaust education in schools, stating “We must make ‘never again’ finally mean what it says.” He will join Prince William at London’s official Holocaust Memorial Day commemorations on January 27, which honors both the six million Jews murdered in World War Two and the victims of other genocides.
Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp, played a central role in the systematic murder of Europe’s Jewish population. A palace source emphasized to the BBC that “there is no substitute for paying tribute at the very scene where the horrors took place.”
The commemoration comes amid concerning findings from the Claims Conference, revealing some young Germans’ lack of awareness about the Holocaust, with many unable to name a single concentration camp. German ambassador Miguel Berger responded by emphasizing continued investment in Holocaust education while rejecting criticism from far-right AfD party members about Germany’s remembrance culture.
Holocaust survivor Mala Tribich, 94, shared her experiences with the BBC, describing the dehumanizing treatment of Jewish people as “cattle” and emphasizing the importance of educating young people about these atrocities. “We’re all hoping for a better world, but we need to contribute to it,” she stated.
Political leaders across the spectrum have voiced support for Holocaust remembrance. Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch highlighted the need to confront “the resurgence of antisemitism today,” while Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey called for vigilance in defending “peace, human rights and compassion” against hatred and discrimination.
During his Poland visit, King Charles will also meet with President Andrzej Duda, combining diplomatic duties with this significant commemorative event.
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