King Charles defended diversity, saying he was “incomprehensibly moved” by “unimaginable horror” in his tribute to holocaust Memorial Day. The King praised the theme of this year’s national commemoration of the event – ordinary people – writing that it “reminds us how ordinary people were the perpetrators, bystanders, rescuers and witnesses of the Holocaust and its victims”.
He added that all people “have a role to play and a responsibility to use our gifts for the benefit – not the destruction – of our world and humanity.”
Charles also urged those who commemorated Nazi Germany’s atrocities to “renew our commitment to working towards a world free from identity-based persecution and violence”.
Earlier today, the King joined Holocaust survivor Dr Martin Stern and a Darfur genocide survivor, Amouna Adam, at Buckingham Palace to light a candle for the event.
Dr. Stern was imprisoned in a Nazi concentration camp at just five years old, while Mrs. Adam grew up as a member of the persecuted Fur tribe and survived the genocide in Darfur, which occurred 20 years ago this year.
The King and Queen’s consort also met representatives of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, of which the King has been a patron since 2017.
The Trust promotes and supports Holocaust Memorial Day, held annually in the UK since 2001 to honor the lives of the six million Jewish people who died in the atrocities of the Holocaust, as well as millions more who were murdered under Nazi persecution and in subsequent genocides in Cambodia. Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur.
READ MORE: Queen Camilla Exudes Elegance on Holocaust Memorial Day – Photos [REVEAL]
In his written message welcoming the Holocaust Memorial Day National Commemoration, the King wrote: “This annual commemoration is a truly profound occasion in which the United Kingdom comes together to remember the murdered, honor the survivors and resolve.” to ensure that the horrors of the past never happen again.
“The theme for this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day – Ordinary People – reminds us how ordinary people were the perpetrators, bystanders, rescuers and witnesses of the Holocaust and its victims. At the end of the day, we are all ordinary people, each of us with a role and a responsibility to use our gifts for the benefit – not destruction – of our world and humanity.”
The monarch also spoke about his first trip to Rwanda in 2022, where he visited the Kigali Genocide Memorial. He recalled, “I was moved by the resilience and grace of the Rwandan people.
NOT MISSING: Harry bet on ‘temporary peace’ with the royal family [REVEAL]
Harry “feels” comfortable being “used” by the media while watching a commentator deal [INSIGHT]
POLL – Should non-working royals join the coronation balcony performance? [ANALYSIS]
“I will never forget my encounter with survivors and perpetrators who, despite their horrific experiences, now live side by side in a reconciliation village.”
The King then made a heartfelt plea, declaring: “We must all renew our commitment to work towards a world free from identity-based persecution and violence. Prejudice is always looking for new victims to demonize, denounce and eventually destroy it. We have to make sure it never succeeds.”
He ended the message by emphasizing that there is “no stronger antidote to division than an appreciation for diversity,” and expressed pride in the “rich diversity…on display in the group of groups participating in Holocaust Memorial Day.”