King Charles Honors Holocaust Survivors

Doncaster,Racecourse,,South,Yorkshire,,Uk,:,16,September,2023,:

King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted Holocaust survivors at Buckingham Palace on January 27, 2026, marking the 81st anniversary of Auschwitz-Birkenau’s liberation for Holocaust Memorial Day. The event, which included the display of seven commissioned portraits of survivors, emphasized the crucial theme of “Bridging Generations” as direct testimonies dwindle. Through this personal and institutional commitment, the King is actively countering the rising tide of antisemitism and historical distortion, ensuring the stories of the Holocaust endure.

Story Highlights

King Charles and Queen Camilla hosted Holocaust survivors at Buckingham Palace on January 27, 2026, marking the 81st anniversary of Auschwitz-Birkenau’s liberation.
Seven permanent portraits of Holocaust survivors, commissioned by Charles as Prince of Wales, now displayed in palace’s East Wing.
Event emphasized “Bridging Generations” theme as survivor numbers decline, passing remembrance duty to younger generations.
Royal family’s commitment counters rising antisemitism and Holocaust denial through institutional support and personal connections spanning decades.

Royal Commitment to Historical Truth

King Charles III and Queen Camilla hosted a reception at Buckingham Palace on January 27, 2026, bringing together Holocaust survivors, their families, youth ambassadors, and charity representatives for Holocaust Memorial Day. The event marked the 81st anniversary of the Soviet liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, where over 1.1 million people, primarily Jews, perished. Seven commissioned portraits of survivors now hang permanently in the palace’s East Wing, ensuring their testimonies endure beyond their lifetimes. Charles personally viewed each portrait and met with living survivors including Helen Aronson, Anita Lasker-Wallfisch, Rachel Levy, Arek Hersh, Kitty Hart-Moxon, and Mala Tribich.

His Majesty the King today hosted Shoah survivors and their families at Buckingham Palace to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. Together, they viewed portraits of the survivors, commissioned by the King, which now hang permanently in the East Wing of the Palace@HMD_UK @RoyalFamily pic.twitter.com/7NlkwA8qmS

— Daniel Ben-David (@DannyBenDavid) January 27, 2026

Decades of Personal Connection

Charles’ dedication to Holocaust remembrance extends back decades, demonstrating consistency rare in modern leadership. In the 1960s, he carried Anita Lasker-Wallfisch’s cello, long before ascending to the throne. In July 2025, he personally visited Lasker-Wallfisch for her 100th birthday, honoring the last surviving member of the Auschwitz Women’s Orchestra. Mala Tribich, 95, confirmed this was her half-dozen meeting with Charles, noting his “real interest” in survivor stories. The King’s grandmother, Princess Alice, was recognized as Righteous Among Nations for saving Jews during World War II, establishing a family legacy of standing against evil.

Preserving Truth Against Modern Threats

The timing carries urgency as survivor numbers dwindle and Holocaust denial spreads. Recent deaths of survivors Zigi Shipper in 2023, Lily Ebert in 2024, and Manfred Goldberg in November 2025 underscore the narrowing window for direct testimony. Olivia Marks-Woldman, CEO of Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, emphasized the royal hosting “sends a very important message” against denial and distortion, demonstrating “huge dedication.” The “Bridging Generations” theme acknowledges younger people must inherit testimony responsibilities. Dov Forman, representing Lily Ebert’s family, said the royal commitment “means a great deal” for the UK Jewish community’s future security.

Institutional Support for Embattled Communities

The Buckingham Palace setting provides institutional weight to Holocaust remembrance amid rising antisemitism concerns across Western nations. Families expressed gratitude for the portraits, with Zigi Shipper’s daughters calling them “magnificent” and Lu Lawrence wishing her late father could attend but knowing he was “here in spirit.” The event included viewing Anne Frank Trust UK artwork and a candle-lighting ceremony led by Charles and 95-year-old Rachel Levy, symbolizing hope. Kitty Hart-Moxon, 99, who dedicated her life to education, vowed to continue sharing stories “as long as we are around,” united in friendship and dedication against forgetting.

Leadership Through Action

Charles commissioned these portraits as Prince of Wales, honoring survivors recognized for awareness efforts including Helen Aronson from the Lodz Ghetto and Zigi Shipper who survived Auschwitz and death marches. The permanent installation ensures their stories outlive political trends and cultural shifts. This stands in contrast to leaders who offer hollow words without substantive action. The multi-generational attendance, including Zigi Shipper’s two-year-old great-grandson, demonstrates remembrance passing to new guardians. Holocaust Memorial Day Trust Chair Sir Sajid Javid and representatives from Holocaust Education Trust joined in affirming this commitment, strengthening NGO efforts through high-profile royal partnership and validation of historical truth.

Watch the report: King Charles and Queen Camilla Host Holocaust Memorial Day Reception