The Duchess of Cornwall marked the 75th anniversary of the publication of Anne Frank’s diary at an event in London today, giving a speech in which she urged people not to be ‘bystanders to prejudice’.

The reception for the Anne Frank Trust, at the InterContinental London on Park Lane, was also attended by Eva Schloss, MBE, 92, an Auschwitz survivor and Anne Frank’s step-sister.

The Diary of Anne Frank, a journal detailing how the Jewish Frank family went into hiding for two years during the German occupation of the Netherlands, was first published in Dutch in June 1947, three years after its author died at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp aged just 16. 

Since then, it has been translated into 70 different languages and published worldwide. It is widely regarded as one of the most influential pieces of literature of the 20th century.

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (centre), attended a London event today marking the 75th publication of The Diary of Anne Frank. Also in attendance were Anne Frank's step-sister Eva Schloss (right) and Joanna Lumley (far right)

Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall (centre), attended a London event today marking the 75th publication of The Diary of Anne Frank. Anne Frank’s stepsister Eva Schloss (right), as well as Joanna Lumley and Joanna Lumley were also present.

Dame Joanna Lumley (left) who is friends with Camilla and her husband Prince Charles, was guest speaker at today's event at the InterContinental Hotel on Park Lane

Dame Joanna Lumley (left) who is friends with Camilla and her husband Prince Charles, was guest speaker at today’s event at the InterContinental Hotel on Park Lane

Anne Frank was just 16 when she died at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp. The Diary of Anne Frank, which is considered one of the most influential works of literature of the 20th century, was first published three years later in June 1947

Anne Frank was 16 when she passed away at Bergen-Belsen concentration prison. Anne Frank’s Diary, considered to be one of 20th-century literature’s most important works, was first published in June 1947.

Camilla, who is 74 years old, spoke out about Anne’s memoir during a speech. 

Anne had an extraordinary gift for words. They had the power to bring about great evil. But she also recognized their capacity to provide comfort, meaning, and hope. 

“Her life and death continue to inspire an international movement for anti-prejudice education including the Anne Frank Trust in the UK. 

The Duchess, who visited Auschwitz in 2020, on the 75th anniversary of its liberation described how she would ‘never forget’ a speech given by Marian Turski, a Holocaust survivor who had warned of laws discriminating against Jewish people in Nazi Germany in the 1930s.

She stated that he described the process by which victims, perpetrators, and witnesses can slowly become de-sensitized to exclusion, stigmatization, and alienation of former friends.

Marian warned us this could happen again. However, he also provided the way to prevent this from ever happening. It is not a good idea to be passive. 

Eva Schloss MBE (left) is the step-sister of Anne Frank, Honorary President of the Anne Frank Trust UK, and survivor of Auschwitz

Eva Schloss MBE (left) is the step-sister of Anne Frank, Honorary President of the Anne Frank Trust UK, and survivor of Auschwitz

Eva Schloss (left) said she was 'deeply grateful' to the Duchess of Cornwall for showing support to the Anne Frank Trust

Eva Schloss (left) said she was ‘deeply grateful’ to the Duchess of Cornwall for showing support to the Anne Frank Trust

“Ladies, gentlemen! Let us not stand by injustice and prejudice. Our personal values can be measured in the extent to which we will ignore things.

Let us learn from Holocaust victims and the subsequent genocides. We must keep these stories alive in order to ensure that every generation is ready to confront hatred in its worst forms.

Let us remember the wise words and advice Anne Frank wrote as a young child at 14: “What has been done can’t be undone but one can try to prevent it from happening again.” 

Among the other guests were the daughter of murdered MP Sir David Amess, and cricketer Azeem Rafiq, who has spoken out about racism within his sport.   

Guest speaker Dame Joanna Lumley (left) described the day as 'unforgettable', and said meeting Eva Schloss was a 'privilege'. She is believed to be friends with Camilla

Joanna Lumley, guest speaker (left), described the day in a way that was “unforgettable” and stated that meeting Eva Schloss was an “privilege”. Camilla is thought to be her friend

Actor Joanna Lumley has previously spoken about filming at charity video with Charles and Camilla at their London residence Clarence House, praising the couple for being welcoming

Joanna Lumley, actress has spoken before about filming at Charles and Camilla’s London home Clarence House for charity. She praised the couple for their welcoming nature.

 Additionally, schoolchildren from Dundee, London and Rotherham who have been trained as anti-prejudice ambassadors by the Anne Frank Trust were present.

They shared the trailer of a movie they had made, in which they shared their experiences with prejudice. 

Film will be available on Holocaust Memorial Day, January 27.  They also presented the Duchess of Cornwall with a copy of Anne Frank’s diary. 

What’s Holocaust Memorial Day?

On January 1, the entire world commemorates six million Jews, and other minorities, who died in the Holocaust.

The Holocaust is also called the Shoah (in Hebrew) and refers to the Holocaust as directed by Hitler’s Nazi party.

The Soviets liberated Auschwitz, a concentration camp located in present-day Poland on January 27, 1945.

The Soviets had arrived eight months prior to the war’s end. Many were on a death march, and there was 7,000 dead and sick people left.

An estimated 1.1million people died at Auschwitz during the five-year period that Auschwitz existed. 90% of the victims were Jewish, while the remainder were mixed Romanys, Soviets and Poles.

After being transported by train across Europe, one in six Jews who died in World War II was brought to Auschwitz.

Six million Jews, men and women, died at the end of World War II in ghettos and mass shootings.

Research has also shown that 20 million deaths could result from the death of a single person.

Over the globe, there will be commemorative events to mark Holocaust Memorial Day. However, it is important to remember that other genocides such as those in Cambodia, Rwanda and Bosnia are also remembered so that racial violence can be stopped permanently.

Camilla spoke to schoolchildren and said that their understanding of the past and dedication for a better tomorrow are testaments to everyone who supports the Anne Frank Trust’s work to fight prejudice. 

Eva Schloss said it was ‘an honour’ to be with the Duchess of Cornwall in ‘remembering all those, including my father and brother, who were murdered by the Nazis just for being Jewish’.

She said, “I am deeply thankful to Her Royal Highness that she supports the Anne Frank Trust. This charity helps ensure that the Holocaust remains unforgotten and educates today’s young people against any form of discrimination or prejudice.”   

As a guest speaker, Dame Joanna Lumley (75) attended the reception. Describing the day as ‘unforgettable’, she said it was a ‘tremendous privilege’ to meet both Eva Schloss and Camilla’.

She said that she was deeply moved by the act. to join in remembering the appalling tragedy of the Holocaust’, as well as being inspired by the education the Anne Frank Trust provides to young people.   

The Holocaust Memorial Day will follow this event on January 27, 

While Camilla visited Auschwitz in 2020 to mark 75 years since the Nazi death camp was liberated, last year, the Royals had to mark the occasion online due to Covid restrictions.

Prince Charles is the patron of Holocaust Memorial Day Trust. In a video, the Royal Family paid tributes to survivors and victims. 

He declared, “This time is ours when we, in our individual ways, can shine the light so that the darkness cannot return.” 

He added that people ‘must remember’ the ‘inspiring heroism’ of those who survived persecution by the Nazis. 

But he cautioned:Also, we have seen reckless assaults against the truth as well the worrying growth in fake news and irrational ideas. They aren’t grounded in reality, but are deeply rooted within dark places of hate and fear.

“We’ve seen objectivity and reason abandoned, history dismissed, even the Holocaust ignored.  

“As I speak the last generation is passing away from this world. So the responsibility of bearing witness lies with us.  

To mark Holocaust Memorial Day this year, Prince Charles has  commissioned portraits of seven survivors, which will be displayed at an exhibition at Buckingham Palace from January 27 to February 13 and the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh from March 17 to June 6.