Queen Camilla has declared we must “never forget” the atrocities of the Holocaust in a moving speech at the Anne Frank Trust’s annual lunch.
Camilla, 77, addressed over 600 guests in the impressive Grand Ballroom of the Hilton Park Lane in London who had gathered to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz and the death of Anne Frank. Paying tribute to the 15-year-old who died in Bergen-Belsen just before the end of the war and whose diary of her time in hiding has been read by millions worldwide, the Queen said: “Her story demonstrates that even the quietest, loneliest voice in the wilderness can change the world. That is the true power of words. “
She urged those gathered to “heed the warning” of Holocaust survivor Marian Turski, who warned against complacency in the wake of rising antisemitism. Speaking at the ceremony to mark the 75th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz, he said: “Don’t be complacent… Because if you become complacent, before you know it, some kind of Auschwitz will suddenly appear from nowhere and befall you and your descendants. “
The Queen concluded her five-minute-long speech by saying: “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. “
Camilla, who became the first royal patron of the Trust last year after enjoying a long-standing relationship with the charity, arrived at the glitzy London hotel shortly after 12pm, where she attended a reception in the Wellington Ballroom Harvest Suite. She was greeted by key members of the charity, which focuses on Holocaust Remembrance and anti-prejudice education, and some of their key supporters, including Rob Rinder, Emma Barnett and Sir Stephen Fry.
Her Majesty spoke briefly with two Holocaust survivors and John Wood, the son of a British Army Officer who was the first to arrive at the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on the day of its liberation. Speaking to Maia Tribich MBE, 94, a Polish-born British Holocaust survivor who was sent to a labour camp and two concentration camps during the Second World War, the Queen said: “Oh, you were there at Bergen-Belsen at the same time as Anne Frank? ” Her Majesty then sat down to watch a 15-minute short presentation by 14 young people from four Anne Frank Trust partner schools, introduced by Mr Rinder.
The charity, which empowers young people aged nine to 15 to recognise and challenge all forms of prejudice, partners with schools to deliver educational programmes to young people across the UK. In 2024 it partnered with 263 primary and secondary schools and engaged with more than 55,000 young people. Roya Namigili, 16, from Horizon Community College, said: “I’m working for a future where no one is judged for who they are and where remembering stories like Anne’s ensures we never ignore injustice. “
Before proceeding into the ballroom, Camilla met the youngsters who spoke on stage and told them: “You did very well. ” The Queen walked into the impressive room to a standing ovation, joining survivors of genocides or hate crimes on stage. Among them was Chanaka Balasuriya whose shop was looted during the Southport riots.
Following a short introduction by Emma Barnett, the Queen was invited to light the first candle in an act of remembrance before Tim Robertson, Chief Executive of The Anne Frank Trust UK. Mr Robertson mentioned the record-high reports of antisemitic incidents in the UK, fuelled by the Israel-Gaza conflict. “Holocaust education is a higher importance now, than every before,” he said.
Established in 1991, The Anne Frank Trust was established by friends and family of Otto Frank, following his wish for an education organisation to be set up in memory of his daughter, Anne. The German-born Jewish girl was just 15 when she died of disease at Bergen-Belsen in February or March 1945.
Before being captured, she hid with her family for over two years in a secret annex in Amsterdam and wrote a diary which has since sold over 35 million copies. Her father was one of the survivors liberated on that day, along with the Anne Frank Trust’s co-founder and Honorary President Eva Schloss.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Rinder said the Queen’s involvement in the Trust means “so much”. He said: “What she can do is to bring light on it [discussions on the Holocaust]. We are in a world with Holocaust denial, anti-Jewish racism, but her very presence spreads light into those dark corners. “
Eva Clarke BEM, who was born in Mauthausen concentration camp, Austria, on April 29 1945, commended the Queen’s speech, saying: “It represented exactly what the Trust aims to do, to continue to counteract racism. ” On Monday, the King will travel to Poland and attend commemorations at Auschwitz to mark 80 years since the liberation.
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