The Prince of Wales pays tribute to Holocaust survivors and refugees on Yom HaShoah

The Prince of Wales has recorded a video message to pay tribute to Holocaust survivors and refugees as the UK Jewish community marks Yom HaShoah, the annual day for Jewish Holocaust Remembrance. 

The pre-recorded message formed part of a virtual remembrance ceremony, brought together by more than 100 Jewish charities, with key speakers including the Chief Rabbi Epharim Mirvis. 

In the 75th anniversary year of the liberation of the concentration camps and the end of the Holocaust, Yom HaShoah events were unfortunately impacted by the current coronavirus pandemic. As a result, a virtual event was streamed this evening.

In his message, The Prince said:

This evening as we mark seventy-five years since liberation, I am only too aware that the majority of survivors and refugees will be isolated at home and deeply concerned that, this year, they will be unable to do justice to what is such a significant anniversary. As Patron of both Holocaust Memorial Day and World Jewish Relief, I can only say that my heart goes out to you all as you remember the Shoah.

Despite the unimaginable horrors that they endured and the losses they suffered, the survivors and refugees who found a welcome in Britain somehow managed to piece their lives back together to become the leaders and builders of your community, active citizens and dedicated contributors to wider British society. They have been, and continue to be, shining examples to the world of how it is possible to triumph over adversity.

The commemorative ceremony also included a virtual children’s choir and readings by Countdown presenter Rachel Riley, Judge Robert Rinder and Game of Thrones actress Laura Pradelska, whose Grandparents all survived the Holocaust.