LONDON – Queen Camilla marked Holocaust Memorial Day on Thursday with a heartfelt speech emphasizing the importance of the words “Never Forget.” Her remarks come ahead of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, where her husband, King Charles, will join global leaders at a commemoration in Poland on Jan. 27.
The Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Memorial, located on the site of the Nazi death camp in occupied Poland, stands as a reminder of the atrocities committed during the Holocaust. Over 1.1 million people, primarily Jews, perished at Auschwitz through gas chambers, starvation, and disease.
Speaking at an event hosted by the Anne Frank Trust UK in London, Camilla, who is the charity’s patron, highlighted the enduring lessons of the Holocaust. The trust educates young people about prejudice and discrimination, inspired by Anne Frank’s story.
“Let’s unite in our commitment to take action, to speak up, and to ensure that the words ‘Never Forget’ are a guiding light that charts a path towards a better, brighter, and more tolerant future for us all,” the Queen said.
Anne Frank, whose diary about life in hiding during the Nazi occupation of the Netherlands has been translated into 60 languages, died at 15 in the Bergen-Belsen death camp in 1945. Her story continues to inspire efforts to combat hatred worldwide.
Camilla also stressed the importance of remembrance in the face of rising antisemitism, Islamophobia, and other forms of racism. She urged against complacency and silence, warning of the dangers of turning away from injustice.
King Charles, 76, has been meeting with Holocaust education groups in preparation for his visit to Poland, where he will honor the memory of Holocaust victims alongside other heads of state. The commemorations aim to reaffirm global commitments to ensuring such atrocities are never repeated.