King Charles III, amidst ongoing cancer treatment, recently hosted his first official royal engagement of 2025: a Holocaust memorial and education event at Buckingham Palace. This significant event underscores the King’s commitment to remembrance and education surrounding this tragic period in history. The event took place on January 13th, just weeks before International Holocaust Remembrance Day, observed annually on January 27th.
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, the largest Nazi death camp. To commemorate this milestone, King Charles will travel to Poland on January 27th to visit the site of the former concentration camp. This visit holds particular poignancy given the King’s ongoing health challenges.
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The King’s commitment to Holocaust remembrance was evident in his interactions with attendees at the Buckingham Palace event. He welcomed three organizations dedicated to educating future generations about the Holocaust: the Holocaust Educational Trust, the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, and CORE Education Trust.
King Charles’s diagnosis with an undisclosed form of cancer was announced in February 2024. While the specific details of his illness remain private, palace sources confirmed that his treatment is “moving in a positive direction” and is being managed as a continuing condition. The King’s dedication to his royal duties has remained steadfast despite his health challenges. He postponed public duties for three months following his diagnosis but has maintained a busy schedule since resuming his official engagements in late April 2024.
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During the reception, King Charles met with 94-year-old Holocaust survivor Manfred Goldberg. Together, they explored the exhibits and learned about the organizations’ work in preserving the memory of the Holocaust and educating young people about its horrors. Goldberg, who survived concentration camps including Stutthof and a subsequent death march, emphasized the crucial role of figures like King Charles in ensuring that the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten.
The event also featured a poignant display of candleholders created for the “80 Candles for 80 Years” project, a digital program called “Testimony 360: People and Places of the Holocaust” designed for schools, and a performance by the “Echo Eternal” arts collaboration. These initiatives highlight the diverse ways in which the memory of the Holocaust is being preserved and shared with younger generations.
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International Holocaust Remembrance Day serves as a solemn reminder of the six million Jewish people murdered during the Holocaust, as well as the millions of others persecuted and killed under the Nazi regime. The date also commemorates victims of genocides in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia, and Darfur. The King’s active participation in Holocaust remembrance events sends a powerful message about the importance of learning from the past to prevent future atrocities.
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Palace sources have indicated that King Charles’s treatment will continue into 2025, but his health is improving. Despite the ongoing treatment, the King remains committed to his royal duties and is planning both domestic and international trips in the coming year. His dedication to service and remembrance, even amidst personal health challenges, sets a powerful example of leadership and resilience.
