QUEEN Camilla vowed yesterday to “never forget” the atrocities of the Holocaust — ahead of the 80th anniversary next week of the liberation of Auschwitz.
She spoke at the annual lunch of the Anne Frank Trust in central London where she met survivors, including Eva Clarke, 79, who was born in a concentration camp.
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Camilla said: “Today, more than ever, with levels of antisemitism at their highest level for a generation, and disturbing rises in Islamophobia and other forms of racism and prejudice, we must heed this warning.
“The deadly seeds of the Holocaust were sown at first in small acts of exclusion, of aggression and of discrimination towards those who had previously been neighbours and friends.
“Over a terrifying short period of time, those seeds took root through the complacency of which we can all be guilty: of turning away from injustice, of ignoring that which we know to be wrong, of thinking that someone else will do what’s needed – and of remaining silent.
“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.”
Trust patron Camilla also stood with Auschwitz survivor Arek Hersh, 96, for a candle lighting ceremony before observing a minute’s silence.
Otto Frank was the only family member who survived the war, with 15-year-old Anne dying along with her older sister Margot in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp and her mother Edith dying at Auschwitz.
Published in 1947 and read by millions, Anne’s diary became a symbol of hope and resilience.
The event comes a few days before Holocaust Memorial Day on Monday, when a reception will be held at Buckingham Palace to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz.
