WILLS IS BACK
William shares message from him and Princess Kate as he returns to work 2 days after pulling out of event at last minute
An Auschwitz survivor said anti-semitism is the worst it's been since World War II
PRINCE William shared a message from him and Princess Kate as he returned to work two days after pulling out of an event last minute.
William, 41, visited London's Western Marble Arch Synagogue today to speak with Ambassadors of the Holocaust Educational Trust - who are advocates against hatred and antisemitism.
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During his visit, the Prince of Wales said he and Kate were "extremely concerned about the rise in anti-semitism".
Students told William the abuse had been "never-ending" and "dehumanising" and "it's never been like this before".
William told them: "Both Catherine and I are extremely concerned about the rise in anti-semitism that you guys have talked about this morning and I'm just so sorry if any of you have had to experience that, it has no place,
"Anti-semitism has no place in society. Prejudice has no place in society. I've said it before and I'll say it again.
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"I want you all to know you can talk about it and your experiences.
"That's why I'm here today to reassure you all that people do care and people do listen and we can't let that go."
He also met 94-year-old Holocaust survivor Renee Salt BEM, who was in Auschwitz.
William asked: "How did you manage?"
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Renee replied: "It wasn't easy. Somehow I survived."
William reached out and held her hand when she described how her family were affected by the rise in antisemitism in recent months.
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Renee said the antisemitism was the worst she has witnessed since the Nazis in World War II.
Wills said: "I'm so sorry it's got to this stage, it will get better."
Renee also added that she "missed Kate so much".
She told the Prince: "I'm sorry, I'm sure that if your wife would've been well, she would've been here.
"I miss her so much. Give her my best wishes, please."
The visit comes as the number of anti-Semitic incidents jumped 147 per cent last year to record levels, with a massive surge in the wake of the Hamas atrocities on October 7.
Karen Pollock CBE, Chief Executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust said: "Today His Royal Highness reminded us that antisemitism is not only a problem for the Jewish community but for all society.
"He listened to young Jewish students who are facing a deluge of antisemitic hate on campus, share their personal experiences of this anti-Jewish hate and he met young Holocaust Educational Trust Ambassadors, who are campaigning against antisemitism despite not being Jewish themselves.
Anti-semitism has no place in society. Prejudice has no place in society
Prince William
"He spent time with Holocaust survivor Renee Salt BEM.
"When they were liberated nearly 80 years ago, they never could have imagined that once again, within their lifetime, there would be a global explosion of antisemitism.
"His Royal Highness’ visit sends a powerful message that Britain is a country where Jews, whether Holocaust survivors who came to find sanctuary or young Jewish students – are welcome and celebrated.
"He reminds us that even in the darkest days, the Jewish community is not alone.
"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."
The trip was was meant to happen in January for National Holocaust Day but postponed after the Princess of Wales fell ill.
Last week William issued a statement on the Gaza conflict saying: "I remain deeply concerned about the terrible human cost of the conflict in the Middle East since the Hamas terrorist attack on 7 October. Too many have been killed.
"I, like so many others, want to see an end to the fighting as soon as possible. There is a desperate need for increased humanitarian support to Gaza. It’s critical that aid gets in and the hostages are released.
"Sometimes it is only when faced with the sheer scale of human suffering that the importance of permanent peace is brought home.
"Even in the darkest hour, we must not succumb to the counsel of despair. I continue to cling to the hope that a brighter future can be found and I refuse to give up on that."
TIMELINE OF HEALTH WOE
HERE is a date-by-date rundown of the health worries to have struck the royals this year.
JANUARY 16: Kate is admitted to the London Clinic for abdominal surgery.
JAN 17: It is announced that the King is to have treatment for a benign enlarged prostate.
JAN 18: William spends time at Kate’s bedside.
JAN 19: The King flies back from Scotland with the Queen.
JAN 21: It is announced Sarah, Duchess of York, has malignant melanoma, a skin cancer.
JAN 23: Kate’s hospital stay passes one week. JAN 26: The King is admitted to the London Clinic for treatment.
JAN 29: The King is discharged from hospital. Kate leaves the same day.
JAN 31: Queen Camilla announces that the King is “getting on, doing his best”.
FEBRUARY 5: Buckingham Palace announces the King has cancer, but not of the prostate, and will not carry out public-facing duties.
Wills' visit came after he pulled out of Tuesday's memorial service for King Constantine II just 30 minutes before he was due to arrive.
William had planned to give a reading, but instead, Prince Pavlos, the son of King Constantine carried out the honours.
Kensington Palace said it was a "personal matter" and said there was no need to "panic".
They would not elaborate further but said that Princess Kate, who is recovering from abdominal surgery, is doing well.
Today, Prince William received a bouquet of flowers from leaders at the Synagogue, to give to Kate.
The Princess of Wales, 42, has not been seen since Christmas Day.
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Kate spent 13 days recovering at the private London Clinic before heading home - and she is unlikely to be seen carrying out any frontline duties until after Easter.
But in a clear sign of her improvement, the Princess joined William and their children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis on a half-term trip holiday on the Sandringham estate in Norfolk.
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