William returns to duty for first time in 8 days after pulling out of service for ‘personal matter’ as Kate recovers
PRINCE William returned to public duty for first time in eight days after mysteriously pulling out of a thanksgiving service citing a 'personal matter'.
William, 41, visited the Western Marble Arch Synagogue to speak with Ambassadors of the Holocaust Educational Trust - who are advocates against hatred and antisemitism.
He also met Holocaust survivors 94-year-old Renee Salt BEM, who was in Auschwitz, and Manfred Goldberg BEM, 93, who spent time in Stuttgart camp.
The visit comes as the number of anti-Semitic incidents jumped 147 per cent last year to record levels, with a massive surge in the wake of the Hamas atrocities on October 7.
Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust: "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.
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"He spent time with Holocaust survivors Renee Salt BEM and Manfred Goldberg BEM.
"When they were liberated nearly 80 years ago, they never could have imagined that once again, within their 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."
Last week William issued a statement on the Gaza conflict saying: "I remain deeply concerned about the terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East since the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October. 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."
After arriving at the synagogue, he heard how the Holocaust Educational Trust is working to tackle hatred and encourage cross community cohesion.
He met Holocaust survivors who spoke to the prince about their experiences at the hands of the Nazis in the Second World War.
And spoke to a number of young ambassadors from all backgrounds
who have taken part in the Holocaust Educational Trust’s flagship ‘Lessons from Auschwitz’.
Through the project, young people from across the UK learn the history of the Holocaust and visit the site of the former Nazi concentration and death camp Auschwitz-Birkenau.
The youngsters are said to now be powerful advocates for ensuring that hatred is called out, wherever it is found.
They have become ambassadors tasked with sharing the lessons from the past with their peers and wider communities.
Wills pulled out of Tuesday's thanksgiving service for King Constantine II with 30 minutes before he was due to arrive with other royals.
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Kensington Palace said it was a "personal matter" and said there was no need to "panic".
The Princess of Wales, 42, has not been seen since Christmas Day and is recovering from abdominal surgery in January.
