King Charles III will attend a solemn ceremony at the Auschwitz concentration camp on January 27, marking the 80th anniversary of its liberation. The monarch’s visit will be part of an
international gathering of representatives from over 20 countries paying tribute to the victims of the Holocaust.
This will be the first time a British monarch has visited Auschwitz, an event of immense significance given the camp’s enduring symbolism of Nazi atrocities. King Charles, who previously visited Auschwitz in 2020 as Prince of Wales, has maintained a long-standing connection with Holocaust survivors. During that visit, he warned that “hatred and intolerance still lurk in the human heart.”
Though undergoing weekly cancer treatment, the king remains steadfast in his commitment to combating antisemitism and honoring Holocaust memory. Organizers note that his participation highlights the importance of the milestone, which will likely be one of the last commemorative events attended by survivors, many now elderly and frail.
Auschwitz, liberated in 1945 by Soviet forces, serves as a powerful symbol of genocide and remembrance. However, in light of the ongoing war in Ukraine, no formal delegation from Russia is expected at the ceremony. Piotr Cywiński, director of the Auschwitz Museum, emphasized that the event will remain “divorced from politics,” ensuring the focus remains on remembrance and reflection.
The commemorations will begin at 4pm with a ceremony held under a specially constructed tent at the entrance of Auschwitz II-Birkenau. The gate, with its infamous Nazi slogan “Arbeit Macht Frei” ("Work Sets You Free"), and a freight car—symbolic of the deportations—will form the backdrop of the proceedings.
King Charles’ visit reflects his deep ties to the Jewish community. In Poland, his association with World Jewish Relief facilitated the establishment of a Jewish community center in Krakow. He also serves as patron of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, which has received additional UK government funding to mark the anniversary.
Communities across the United Kingdom will commemorate the milestone through a project titled “80 Candles for 80 Years,” part of a nationwide tribute that will culminate in celebrations of the 80th anniversary of VE Day on May 8.
The king’s family history is also intertwined with Holocaust remembrance. His grandmother, Princess Alice of Greece, was honored as a Righteous Among the Nations for protecting a Jewish family in Athens during the Holocaust.
The monarch’s presence at Auschwitz serves as a poignant reminder of the need to preserve the memory of the Holocaust and to confront hatred in all its forms for future generations. Photo by Dan Marsh, Wikimedia commons.