Tearful King Charles becomes first UK monarch to visit Auschwitz
Those closest to Charles said visit was a 'deeply personal pilgrimage" for the monarch and something he found 'poignant and profound'
Lee Harpin is the Jewish News's political editor
King Charles has been moved to tears after becoming the first British monarch to visit the Auschwitz-Birkenau Nazi concentration camp in Poland.
Laying a wreath inside the site the King was visibly moved with aides saying he was determining to see the reality of what went on there with his own eyes.
Taken to Block 5, accompanied by an exprienced guide, Charles saw the piles of shoes exhibited in a stark reminder of the industrialsed murder of Jews, and other enemies of the Nazis.
Those closest to the King told the BBC his visit to the camp on Monday evening was a “deeply personal pilgramage” for the monarch and something he found “poignant and profound.”
It was when he arrived at Block 11 that the King’s emotions were at their most visible.
He layed a wreath at the death wall where those condemned were executed.
“The King’s face was etched with pain of what had happened here,” reported BBC News at Ten, who were allowed to film the visit.
“As he walked away he stopped to look back tearful and reflective,” added reporter Daniela Relph.
“Like so many who have visited its impact stays with you.”
Thank you for helping to make Jewish News the leading source of news and opinion for the UK Jewish community. Today we're asking for your invaluable help to continue putting our community first in everything we do.
For as little as £5 a month you can help sustain the vital work we do in celebrating and standing up for Jewish life in Britain.
Jewish News holds our community together and keeps us connected. Like a synagogue, it’s where people turn to feel part of something bigger. It also proudly shows the rest of Britain the vibrancy and rich culture of modern Jewish life.
You can make a quick and easy one-off or monthly contribution of £5, £10, £20 or any other sum you’re comfortable with.
100% of your donation will help us continue celebrating our community, in all its dynamic diversity...
Engaging
Being a community platform means so much more than producing a newspaper and website. One of our proudest roles is media partnering with our invaluable charities to amplify the outstanding work they do to help us all.
Celebrating
There’s no shortage of oys in the world but Jewish News takes every opportunity to celebrate the joys too, through projects like Night of Heroes, 40 Under 40 and other compelling countdowns that make the community kvell with pride.
Pioneering
In the first collaboration between media outlets from different faiths, Jewish News worked with British Muslim TV and Church Times to produce a list of young activists leading the way on interfaith understanding.
Campaigning
Royal Mail issued a stamp honouring Holocaust hero Sir Nicholas Winton after a Jewish News campaign attracted more than 100,000 backers. Jewish Newsalso produces special editions of the paper highlighting pressing issues including mental health and Holocaust remembrance.
Easy access
In an age when news is readily accessible, Jewish News provides high-quality content free online and offline, removing any financial barriers to connecting people.
Voice of our community to wider society
The Jewish News team regularly appears on TV, radio and on the pages of the national press to comment on stories about the Jewish community. Easy access to the paper on the streets of London also means Jewish News provides an invaluable window into the community for the country at large.
We hope you agree all this is worth preserving.
