The Prince of Wales received a bouquet of flowers for his recovering wife Kate today as he made his first public appearance since canceling the memorial service for his godfather, the late King Constantine II of Greece.
Prince William visited the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in central London to take part in discussions about rising anti-Semitism in Britain – as the Princess of Wales continues to recover after abdominal surgery last month.
He met with two Holocaust survivors, Manfred Goldberg and Renee Salt, as well as young people who took part in the Holocaust Educational Trust's flagship project “Lessons from Auschwitz.”
William received the bouquet from Rabbi Daniel Epstein, who has led the Marble Arch Synagogue with his wife Illana since 2021.
The Prince of Wales spoke about his wife and told those in attendance: “Prejudice has no place in society.” I've said it before and I'll say it again. I want you all to know that you can talk about this and your experiences.
“Both Catherine and I are extremely concerned about the rise in anti-Semitism that you spoke about this morning and I am just so sorry if any of you have had to experience that.”
“It has no place…that's why I'm here today to assure you all that people really care and are listening, and we can't let that happen.”
The engagement was originally planned for Holocaust Remembrance Day last month and the Princess of Wales was also due to attend.
The event had to be postponed due to the Princess's hospitalization.
Prince William receives a bouquet of flowers for his wife Catherine, Princess of Wales during his visit to the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in London
The Prince of Wales made his first public appearance today since pulling out of the memorial service for his godfather, the late King Constantine II of Greece
Prince William visited the Western Marble Arch Synagogue in central London to take part in discussions about rising anti-Semitism in Britain
Prince William previously met Mr Goldberg during his visit with the Princess of Wales to the former Stutthof concentration camp in what is now Poland in 2017.
The Lessons from Auschwitz project is helping young people across the UK learn about the history of the Holocaust.
You will be taken to the site of the former Auschwitz-Birkenau extermination camp, where more than a million Jews were murdered by the Nazis.
Karen Pollock CBE, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said: “His Royal Highness reminded us today that anti-Semitism is not just a problem for the Jewish community, but for society as a whole.”
“He listened as young Jewish students who face a barrage of anti-Semitic hatred on campus shared their personal experiences with that anti-Jewish hatred, and he met young ambassadors from the Holocaust Educational Trust who are campaigning against anti-Semitism, even though they themselves are not Jews.”
“He spent time with Holocaust survivor Renee Salt BEM. When she was freed almost 80 years ago, she could never have imagined that there would be another global explosion of anti-Semitism during her lifetime.
“His Royal Highness’s” visit sends a strong message that Britain is a country where Jews – be they Holocaust survivors seeking refuge or young Jewish students – are welcome and celebrated.
“It reminds us that the Jewish community is not alone, even in the darkest days.”
“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.”
Crown Prince Pavlos, 56, the current head of the former Greek royal family, gave a reading in William's place at St. George's Chapel in Windsor this week after the prince withdrew on 45 minutes' notice because Kensington Palace was only accepting him as a such would describe 'personal reasons'.
The Prince of Wales was supposed to read from Revelation 21:1-7, a popular Bible verse for funerals – but an emotional Pavlos instead stood and said: “God.” He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death, mourning, crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.
Prince William speaks with Renee Salt, 94, a Holocaust survivor, at the Western Marble Arch Synagogue
Rabbi Daniel Epstein shows Britain's Prince William a 17th-century Torah scroll as he visits the Western Marble Arch Synagogue
He met with two Holocaust survivors, Manfred Goldberg and Renee Salt, as well as young people who took part in the Holocaust Educational Trust's flagship project “Lessons from Auschwitz.”
The official YouTube film from inside St. George's Chapel, where Elizabeth II was buried in September 2022, also showed the poignant moment when Queen Camilla stood for the national anthem while her husband was absent because he was battling cancer fought.
At one point, as the service began, she appeared to wipe away a tear.
Charles III would have been there to lead the royal family, but is undergoing hospital treatment and has therefore taken a complete break from his royal duties.
Buckingham Palace said his cancer was detected early and His Majesty was “completely positive”.
On the same day as the memorial service, it emerged that Thomas Kingston had died.
The sudden death of Prince and Princess Michael of Kent's son-in-law has left the royal family and their friends in a state of deep shock. But that wasn't the reason for Williams' absence, as it later turned out.
The late Constantine II was William's godfather, a close confidant of the Queen and a dear friend and sailing partner of Prince Philip.
Instead, Queen Camilla was the oldest member of the royal family in attendance – with Prince Andrew also playing a prominent role as he led his fellow royals on foot to the service at St George's Chapel in Windsor Castle.
No further details were given about William's absence, and it is not known whether this was related to his wife, the Princess of Wales', recovery from her abdominal surgery last month, although royal sources insisted she was still “at home.” goes well”.
William, pictured on February 20, said he missed the service at St George's Chapel for “personal reasons” – but no further details were given
The King was seen attending church at Sandringham every Sunday, but public duties were suspended
William was last seen at the Baftas on February 18, while Kate hasn't been seen at Sandringham since Christmas.
Kate will stay away from official royal engagements until after Easter following her operation.
As for Charles, he was at Windsor Castle earlier in the day but left the property before the service began – and Camilla hosted the reception afterwards.
The king was later photographed waving as he was driven into Clarence House, his London residence.
Meanwhile, Andrew took center stage with Sarah, Duchess of York and his daughter, Princesses Beatrice, along with her husband Edoardo Mapelli Mozzi as it was a personal family event.
It is also understood that the Duke of York attended the service as a member of the British royal family and was invited by the Greek royal family. Andrew's other daughter, Princess Eugenie, was not present.
While Charles was absent from public duties, Camilla assumed the highest royal duties.