WORLD LEADERS

the Liberation of Auschwitz-birkenau, hatred and intolerance still lurk in the human heart, still tell new lies, adopt new disguises, and seek new victims.

“All too often, language is used which turns disagreement into dehumanisation. Words are used as badges of shame to mark others as enemies, to brand those who are different as somehow deviant. All too often, virtue seems to be sought through verbal violence.

“All too often, real violence ensues, and acts of unspeakable cruelty are still perpetrated around the world against people for reasons of their religion, race or beliefs. Knowing, as we do, the darkness to which such behaviour leads, we must be vigilant in discerning these everchanging threats; we must be fearless in confronting falsehoods and resolute in resisting words and acts of violence. We must never rest in seeking to create mutual understanding and respect.”

Charles praised the survivors who had gone on to shape their own future and the history of those around them. To 100 survivors in the audience he praised their “strength of spirit, unparalleled courage and determined defiance of the very best of humanity when confronted with the very worst”. Russian President Vladimir Putin, French President Emmanuel Macron and German President Frank-walter Steinmeier also delivered speeches. President Steinmeier acknowledged that “the worst crime in the history of humanity was committed by my countrymen”.

He said: “Seventy-five years later, after the liberation of Auschwitz, I stand before you all as president of Germany and laden with the heavy historical burden of guilt.”

In a brutally honest speech, he confessed how he wished he could say Germans have learned from history, adding: “But, I cannot say that when hatred is spreading.”

Charles will today visit the grave of his grandmother, Princess Alice, on the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem.

The Duke of Edinburgh’s mother is considered “one of the Righteous among the Nations” for sheltering a Jewish family in her home in 1943 while living in Nazi-occupied Greece.

Charles said it is “a fact which gives me, and my family, immense pride”.

Later today he will visit Palestine to meet leader Mahmoud Abbas.

Mengele did barbaric tests