The King left Holocaust survivors “moved” as he delivered a speech at the Jewish Community Centre (JCC) this afternoon.
King Charles visited the JCC in Krakow, where he was welcomed by the centre’s CEO Jonathan Ornstein and Maurice Helfgott, Chair of World Jewish Relief, the organisation that designed and helps fund the JCC.
During his visit, His Majesty met with members of the centre’s Senior Club, which supports elderly members of Krakow’s Jewish community, including Holocaust survivors.
The King was reunited with Holocaust survivor Ryszard Orowski, whom he previously met during a 2002 visit that inspired the centre.
The King left Holocaust survivors “moved” as he delivered a speech at the Jewish Community Centre (JCC) this afternoon.
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The King’s connection to the centre dates back to its formal opening in 2008, when he and Queen Camilla, then The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall, inaugurated the facility during a visit to Krakow.
His Majesty observed volunteers at the centre’s Free Shop, where food and essential items are provided to refugees.
The JCC has supported over 380,000 displaced Ukrainians in Poland, with many Polish non-Jewish volunteers from Krakow contributing to the effort.
During the visit, His Majesty received a special gift created by children from the Frajda Preschool and Nursery, which holds the distinction of being the first Jewish children’s facility to open in Krakow since the Holocaust.
During his visit, His Majesty met with members of the centre’s Senior Club, which supports elderly members of Krakow’s Jewish community, including Holocaust survivors.
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King Charles is making history today as the first British monarch to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau, joining European royals and world leaders to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the concentration camp’s liberation in Poland.
The King will be accompanied by the monarchs of Denmark, Belgium, the Netherlands, and Spain.
Princess Amalia of the Netherlands will join her parents, alongside Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden and Crown Prince Haakon of Norway.
King Charles is making history today as the first British monarch to visit Auschwitz-Birkenau.
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France’s President Emmanuel Macron and Germany’s Chancellor Olaf Scholz will be among the political leaders attending the ceremony.
Germany’s President Frank-Walter Steinmeier will also be present at this historic commemoration.
The commemorative ceremony will take place at the Auschwitz-Birkenau museum and memorial, specifically in front of the gates of the former Nazi concentration camp.
