William breaks cover and talks about Kate after pulling out of memorial
Prince William has returned to royal duties - just two days after pulling out of a major royal event at the last minute citing a "personal matter".
Today, the Prince of Wales visited the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in Central London, where he chatted with young ambassadors of the Holocaust Educational Trust who are advocates against hatred and antisemitism, as well as Holocaust survivors and said he and wife Kate were concerned about the rise in anti-semitism. The visit was the second engagement in which William has been learning about human suffering caused by the ongoing war in the Middle East and the subsequent conflict in Gaza, as well as the rise of antisemitism around the world.
William meets with young people at the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in London today (PA)Earlier this week, on Tuesday morning, William had been scheduled to be at a memorial service for the late King Constantine of Greece but mysteriously did not attend. Kensington Palace did not elaborate on William's absence but it is understood not to be in relation to the Princess of Wales' continued recovery at home in Windsor from abdominal surgery last month. A source said at the time: "The Princess of Wales continues to be doing well."
It meant Queen Camilla led the royals at the service for the last King of Greece, who was a close friend of King Charles and William's godfather. Charles, who is being treated for cancer, also missed the service at St George's Chapel in honour of Constantine. The visit today also came a day after his estranged brother Prince Harry lost in his bid to challenge a decision over a change in the level of his personal security when he receives when he visits the UK - although the Duke of Sussex says he intends to appeal.
Rabbi Daniel Epstein shows William a 17th century Torah scroll at the Western Marble Arch Synagogue (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)At the synagogue this morning, William learned about how it had been supporting the Jewish community and met Holocaust survivors, who reflected on their experience. He also met a number of young ambassadors from all backgrounds, who have taken part in the Holocaust Educational Trust’s flagship 'Lessons from Auschwitz' project, where they learn about the history of the Holocaust. He heard what the young people have learned through the project and how they are sharing this with their communities.
Kate Middleton swears by £19.99 rosehip oil that helps 'reduce wrinkles & scars'
Students told William the abuse had been "never-ending" and "dehumanising" and "it's never been like this before". He then told them: "Anti-semitism has no place in society. Prejudice has no place in society. I've said it before and I'll say it again. I want you all to know you can talk about it and your experiences. Both Catherine and I are extremely concerned about the rise in anti-semitism that you guys have talked about this morning and I'm just so sorry if any of you have had to experience that. That's why I'm here today to reassure you all that people do care and people do listen and we can't let that go."
William speaks to 94-year-old Holocaust survivor Renee Salt (Getty Images)Holocaust survivor Renee Salt, 94, also sat with William and quietly spoke about her experiences at a Nazi concentration camp. William asked: "How did you manage?" Renee replied: "It wasn't easy. Somehow I survived." William reached out and held her hand when she described how her family were affected by the rise in antisemitism in recent months. Renee said the antisemitism was the worst she has witnessed since the Nazis in World War II. Wills said: "I'm so sorry it's got to this stage, it will get better."
Before he left, he was presented with a bouquet of flowers for his wife. His visit today was meant to happen in January for National Holocaust Day but postponed after the Princess of Wales had to undergo surgery. Last week William issued an emotional plea to end the fighting in the Israel-Hamas war as soon as possible saying too many have been killed and called for increased humanitarian support for Gaza. He said it was "critical that aid gets in and the hostages are released", in an impassioned statement released as he visited the London headquarters of the British Red Cross (BRC), which is playing a key humanitarian role in the region.
William receives flowers to give to wife Kate (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)He told BRC executives that his 2018 visit to Israel and the West Bank – the first official trip there by a member of the monarchy – made a "lasting impression" on him and he has since followed the region closely. The UK Government welcomed William’s intervention calling for the fighting in Gaza to end "as soon as possible", No 10 said.
William said in his statement: "I remain deeply concerned about the terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East since the Hamas terrorist attack on October 7. Too many have been killed. I, like so many others, want to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible. There is a desperate need for increased humanitarian support to Gaza. It’s critical that aid gets in and the hostages are released.
"Sometimes it is only when faced with the sheer scale of human suffering that the importance of permanent peace is brought home. Even in the darkest hour, we must not succumb to the counsel of despair. I continue to cling to the hope that a brighter future can be found and I refuse to give up on that."
Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said: "Today His Royal Highness reminded us that antisemitism is not only a problem for the Jewish community but for all society. He listened to young Jewish students who are facing a deluge of antisemitic hate on campus, share their personal experiences of this anti-Jewish hate and he met young Holocaust Educational Trust Ambassadors, who are campaigning against antisemitism despite not being Jewish themselves.
""He spent time with Holocaust survivor Renee Salt BEM. When she was liberated nearly 80 years ago, she never could have imagined that once again, within her lifetime, there would be a global explosion of antisemitism. His Royal Highness’ visit sends a powerful message that Britain is a country where Jews, whether Holocaust survivors who came to find sanctuary or young Jewish students – are welcome and celebrated. He reminds us that even in the darkest days, the Jewish community is not alone.
"We thank His Royal Highness for his leadership on this issue and we are so grateful for his unwavering support for our cause and our community."
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
