Queen Camilla attended a reception ahead of Holocaust Memorial Day this week, which was hosted by The Anne Frank Trust.
Her Majesty became Patron of the Trust in 2022, when she marked the 75th anniversary of the publication of the diary of Anne Frank. At a reception to mark the anniversary, Camilla called on the public to not be ‘bystanders to injustice or predjudice’.
At this week’s event ahead of the 80th anniversary of librarian of Auschwitz, The Queen delivered a powerful speech during the reception stressing her commitment to ‘never forget’ what happened during the Second World War and the Holocaust.
This year also marks the 80th anniversary of Anne Frank’s death in the Bergen-Belsen concentration camp at the age of 15. Reflecting on Anne’s enduring legacy, Queen Camilla spoke of the incredible impact of her diary, which has become a symbol of resilience, hope, and the transformative power of words.
“What is done cannot be undone, but at least one can prevent it from happening again.”
– Anne Frank, 7th May 1944.The Queen, as Patron of the Anne Frank Trust, has marked Holocaust Memorial Day at a reception with survivors and supporters of the charity.
🕯️ Her Majesty… pic.twitter.com/LH5D3TiDUL
— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) January 23, 2025
Her Majesty praised Anne’s courage and determination to make her voice heard, and encouraged others to follow her example by speaking out against injustice. ‘Had she lived, she would be 95,’ the Queen said. ‘We can only guess at what she would have made of her legacy. Yet her story demonstrates that even the quietest, loneliest voice in the wilderness can change the world. That is the true power of words’.
Recalling a speech by Holocaust survivor Marian Turski, the Queen warned against the perils of indifference in the face of discrimination. ‘The deadly seeds of the Holocaust were sown at first in small acts of exclusion, of aggression, and of discrimination towards those who had previously been neighbours and friends’ she said.
Her Majesty highlighted how complacency can enable the escalation of injustice: ‘Over a terrifyingly short period of time, those seeds took root through the complacency of which we can all be guilty: of turning away from injustice, of ignoring that which we know to be wrong, of thinking that someone else will do what’s needed – and of remaining silent’. Her message was clear: silence and inaction can have devastating consequences.
The Queen also noted the work of the Anne Frank Trust, which reached 126,000 children in the UK last year. She commended the charity’s ‘distinctive combination of Holocaust history, education about discrimination, and youth empowerment,” expressing her pride in being its royal patron.
Queen Camilla’s speech culminated in a stirring call to action, urging everyone to unite against discrimination and intolerance. ‘Let’s unite in our commitment to take action, to speak up, and to ensure that the words ‘Never Forget’ are a guiding light that charts a path towards a better, brighter, and more tolerant future for us all’ she said.
In her closing remarks, Camilla underscored the importance of building a brighter future through remembrance and action. ‘Words have power’ she said. ‘Anne knew that they were always there to offer truth, comfort, and hope’.
Her Majesty’s speech served as a powerful reminder of the enduring lessons of the Holocaust and the critical role each person plays in ensuring that such atrocities are never repeated.
During the event, Queen Camilla engaged in meaningful conversations with Holocaust survivors, including Maia Tribich MBE, a Polish-born survivor who endured a labor camp and two concentration camps. The Queen also met John Wood, the son of a British Army officer who was among the first to arrive at Bergen-Belsen during its liberation.
Speaking to Ms. Tribich, the Queen said: ‘Oh, you were there at Bergen-Belsen at the same time as Anne Frank?’
The reception also featured a 15-minute presentation by 14 young people from four partner schools of the Anne Frank Trust, introduced by broadcaster and Anne Frank Trust ambassador Rob Rinder. The presentation emphasised the importance of education and awareness in combating prejudice and promoting unity.

Queen Camilla spoke at a reception to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. (The Anne Frank Trust)
Looking ahead to 2025’s Holocaust Memorial Day, both The King and The Prince of Wales will mark the anniversary. His Majesty will attend a commemoration service at the Auschwitz-Birkenau Museum and Memorial in Poland, marking 80 years since the liberation of the former German Nazi concentration camp on 27th January 1945; whilst Prince William will attend ceremony in the UK to commemorate Holocaust Memorial Day.