Charles urges people to use Holocaust remembrance to challenge ‘fake news’

The Prince of Wales spoke of the “deeply worrying growth of fake news” as he urged people to challenge those who peddle unfounded conspiracy theories on Holocaust Memorial Day (HMD).

Charles, who is patron of the HMD Trust, spoke of the need to “be the light in the darkness” as people across the country placed candles in their windows, and national landmarks turned purple for the evening in recognition of genocide.

But he also warned: “We have also seen reckless assaults on the truth and the deeply worrying growth of fake news and of irrational theories, not grounded in reality but rooted in dark places of hatred and fear.

“We have seen reason rejected, objectivity abandoned, history discounted – even the Holocaust denied.”

He added: “As I speak, the last generation of living witnesses is tragically passing from this world, so the task of bearing witness falls to us.

London Eye lit up for Holocaust Memorial Day
The London Eye was lit up in purple in remembrance of victims of the Holocaust (Victoria Jones/PA)

The Duchess of Cambridge, Premier League footballers and the Prime Minister were among those to support the day of remembrance, with Boris Johnson one of several political leaders reading lines from a poem broadcast at the ceremony.

Mr Johnson also described the testimonies of a concentration camp survivor and a British soldier who helped liberate Bergen-Belsen as “perhaps the most powerful things I have ever heard” in a video call from Downing Street.

Larry the Cat sits next to a candle in a window at 10 Downing Street for Holocaust Memorial Day
Larry the Cat sits next to a candle in a window at 10 Downing Street to mark Holocaust Memorial Day (Victoria Jones/PA)

Pre-recorded messages from Premier League footballers Jordan Henderson and Bruno Fernandes, and contributions from religious leaders and celebrities including adventurer Bear Grylls, also featured in the online service.

This year’s theme – being the light in the darkness – was decided 18 months ago, but the global coronavirus pandemic, which has seen deaths, ill-health, economic ruin, school closures and mental health problems, means it has taken on added resonance.

For more information visit www.hmd.org.uk.

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