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The King is set to make a poignant journey to Auschwitz to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration camp. Charles, who has long held a personal connection with the Jewish community, is understood to have accepted an invitation to travel to Poland for the commemorations on January 27. Representatives from more than 20 countries will take part in the historic event, attended by survivors of the Holocaust - also known as the Shoah in Hebrew - that led to the death of six million Jews.
The monarch, whose presence will be seen as a huge boost to organisers, has long been a vocal opponent of antisemitism. He continues to be involved in Holocaust education and commemoration through his patronage of several organisations, including World Jewish Relief and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. More than one million people were murdered by the Nazis in Auschwitz, mostly Jews, but also Poles, the Roma, Soviet prisoners of war and people of other nationalities.
Image: Getty Images) Getty Images) When soldiers of the 60th Army of the First Ukrainian Front opened the gates of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi concentration camp complex, just 7,000 prisoners remained. Holocaust Memorial Day, marked each year on January 27, has officially been a day of reflection, remembrance, and education since 2005. In 2025 it will also mark the 30th anniversary of the genocide in Bosnia.
A source said: "The King's respect both for and from the Jewish community, as well as his work fostering community cohesion throughout his life, is well known and he will be welcomed to the commemorations. The King has worked for many years to promote tolerance and greater understanding between different faiths and communities, poignant subjects on such an anniversary." The King has been asked to lead a UK delegation by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, which is working in conjunction with Buckingham Palace to facilitate the trip.
Charles, 76, is still...
(Image: Getty Images).
