King Charles, European Royals Commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Princess Catherine attends Holocaust remembrance service in London, in a last minute addition to engagement
To honor the 1.1 million people who died at Auschwitz-Birkenau and the others who barely managed to survive, leaders from all over the Europe and the world gathered to commemorate International Holocaust Remembrance Day. This includes members of the various European households.
Most lost a portion of their Jewish populations to the Holocaust, while some, notably Denmark, mustered a magnificent effort to save their Jews by sending them to neutral Sweden. But all were there to once again bear witness to the extraordinary loss of life and the unimaginable evil that is the Holocaust.
(You can hear more about how the royals commemorated Auschwitz on the latest edition of The Crown Report, here.)
King Charles III became the first British monarch to ever visit Auschwitz. According to royal sources, Charles wanted to make this journey as “both a man and a monarch” and considered it a “both a sombre and indeed a sacred moment”.
He called it a “deeply personal pilgrimage.”
The Telegraph reports, “That’s not only because of the significance of the anniversary but as an opportunity for him to reflect on the many stories of suffering and courage he has heard from those who bore witness, in the very location where they took place.”
Charles also spent some time meeting with Holocaust survivors at Jewish Community Centre in Krakow. He shared with the local Jewish community that “in a world that remains full of turmoil and strife, and has witnessed the dangerous re-emergence of antisemitism, there can be no more important message”.
Another royal attendee was Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, who has participated previously in the commemoration services. Of the event, she said, “It is so incredibly incomprehensible to try to take in all the evil and everything that has happened in this place. At the same time, I feel how infinitely important it is to be right here and perhaps especially today, to also be able to make this manifestation together with all other countries that we support and we stand side by side on this incredibly important issue.”
The Prince and Princess of Wales attended another Holocaust remembrance ceremony in at London’s Guildhall, with Catherine being added to the event at the last minute. This could be a sign of how the Princess’ engagements will be treated in the future.
Survivors were also in attendance for this event, which includes survivors whom Catherine previously photographed for a project in 2020. One of them was Yvonne Bernstein, who Catherine greeted warmly and said, “It was such a treat for me to come and see an old friend.”
Prince William also spoke at the event and shared the story of how his great-grandmother hid Jews in Greece. She even did so when the Nazis were merely meters from her home.
British Royal News…
Prime Minister Keir Starmer shared President Donald Trump’s “respect and affection for the Royal Family” after their first phone call. Trump has also said that his first two foreign visits will likely be with Saudi Arabia and the United Kingdom.
Prince William hosted Crown Prince Hussein of Jordan at Windsor Castle for a meeting. Notably, Prince William and Catherine, The Princess of Wales attended Hussein’s wedding to Princess Rajwa in 2023. It’s the first foreign royal wedding the couple attended, as usually that honor is for Prince Edward and Sophie.
Catherine, The Princess of Wales has seen another great success with her Early Years program—as its first NHS scientific trial has been expanded to other facilities after it proved incredibly successful. Based on a program Catherine initially saw during her working visit to Copenhagen in 2019, it utilizes a tool to evaluate babies “during a critical period of development” during their six-to-eight week check. This is to help improve the understanding of an infant’s development.
It’s been suggested that Anna Wintour is interested in having Catherine, The Princess of Wales feature in an upcoming Vogue photo spread. The photoshoot could either be published in the U.S. or U.K. version of Vogue. It’s unclear if this is merely rumor or if a serious offer has been extended.
King Charles was photographed at Balmoral Castle in the Library as part of a Scottish celebration Burns Night, named in honor of Scottish poet Robert Burns. He also wore his King Charles Tartan, which is made for the exclusive use of His Majesty.
Prince William visited Toxteth, including the Cycle of Life. It’s a local organization that focuses on the mental and physical health of people through cycling.
Queen Camilla, who is part of the Anne Frank Trust, took part in a memorial event that included survivors and supporters of the charity.
Ethiopia is planning to demand the return of items from the Royal Collection Trust among other treasures housed at various museums, including the British Museum. The Ethiopian government and other officials believe that the new Labour government might be more “amenable to repatriation than their Conservative predecessors.”
During a tour of South Africa, Princess Anne, The Princess Royal was asked about the possibility of retirement. She said, "It really isn't written in, no. It isn't really an option, no, I don't think so. You're jolly lucky… if you can continue to be more or less compos mentis and last summer I was very close to not being Take each day as it comes, they say."
Belgian Royal News…
There are reports that the Belgian royal family could see a government cut as high as €2 million in their budget. It’s part of an overall tightening of the finances for the Belgian government.
Danish Royal News…
King Frederik and Queen Mary attended the premier of “Jeppe on the Mountain” at the Royal Theatre’s Old Stage. It has been 90 years since it was last seen on stage at the Royal Theatre.
The royal couple have also hired a new communications director, journalist Nina Munch-Perrin.
Dutch Royal News…
King Willem-Alexander made a quick working visit to Brussels to see the opening of a new Dutch Embassy in the city.
Queen Maxima recently toured Kansrijke Start Zeist, a program that is dedicated to helping children to get the best start with life. She even briefly joined a pregnancy group.
Greek Royal News…
Prince Nikolaos is apparently planning to marry Chrysí Vardinogianni, daughter of a billionaire. (This follows a pattern of the male members of the Greek royal family generally marrying very wealthy heiresses.) He was previously married to Princess Tatiana. The couple announced their separation just last year in 2024 and had no children.
Jordanian Royal News…
Queen Rania announced via Instagram that her daughter, Princess Iman, is expecting her first child. This will the second grandchild for King Hussein and Queen Rania.
Monaco Royal News…
Prince Albert and Princess Charlene attended the services to commemorate Sainte Devote, who is the patron saint of Corsica and Monaco.
Norwegian Royal News…
King Harald reportedly took some personal time with a wealthy friend in Scotland. His Majesty was seen boarding a private jet from Oslo, which landed in Edinburgh. Wife Queen Sonja, who just had surgery for a pacemaker, did not accompany him.
A trailer has dropped for a new Amazon Prime series about the love story of King Harald and Queen Sonja of Norway. It’s unclear if this will be available outside the Scandinavian country.
Members of the family attended the Handball World Championship, including Crown Prince Haakon, Crown Princess Mette-Marit and Prince Sverre Magnus. It’s a sign of how the family might be including the young prince more in official engagements as the family struggles with the fallout of the Marius and Shaman Durek controversies.
Spanish Royal News…
It’s been reported that King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain will undertake a foreign trip to China in the latter half of 2025.
Queen Letizia of Spain attended a class of children and read them “Lara, the Yellow Ladybug” as part of the “Think Equal” Program.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain attended a tourism conference.
Swedish Royal News…
Princess Madeleine of Sweden is in the United States to meet with Childhood USA, the American branch of her mother, Queen Silvia of Sweden’s, nonprofit to end childhood sexual abuse and exploitation.
Royals Spotted Out and About…
Catherine, The Princess of Wales was spotted at an optometrist’s office in Notting Hill, and appeared to perhaps be perusing for a pair of glasses. It would not be a surprise that in the near future we may see her put on a pair of reading glasses. The Princess is not known to have ever worn glasses or contacts, as William does.
Royal Birthdays…
January 20 - Sophie, The Duchess of Edinburgh (60) and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians (52).
January 21 - Princess Ingrid-Alexandra of Norway (21)
January 21 - Princess Caroline of Monaco (68)
January 24 - Countess Athena of Denmark (13)
January 25 - Princess Charlene of Monaco (47)
Fashion Moment of the Week…
Princess Catharina-Amalia of The Netherlands at the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau.
Lots of good information, thanks.