To mark Holocaust Memorial Day, a group of Trustees, staff, supporters and young Ambassadors from the Anne Frank Trust UK were honoured to attend a reception at Buckingham Palace, hosted by His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen, Royal Patron of the Anne Frank Trust.

It was a deeply moving occasion, bringing together Holocaust survivors and Anne Frank Trust Ambassadors in the spirit of this year’s Holocaust Memorial Day theme, ‘Bridging Generations’. The reception reflected both remembrance and a shared, ongoing commitment to challenge antisemitism and build a kinder world for everyone.

In the academic year 2024 - 2025, the Trust has reached more than 132,000 young people across England and Scotland, helping them understand the dangers of prejudice and the importance of standing up against hate. Independent evaluation shows the impact of this work: over 90% of young people on our core programme made progress in their pro‑social attitudes, with the greatest positive shift towards Jewish people.

Nicola Cobbold, Chair of the Anne Frank Trust, said: “Being welcomed to Buckingham Palace on Holocaust Memorial Day was both an honour and a profound reminder of why our work matters. To see Holocaust survivors and our young Ambassadors standing together with Their Majesties gives me enormous hope. Their shared commitment to remembrance and to challenging antisemitism, and indeed all forms of prejudice today is precisely what will help build a more compassionate world. We are so grateful to The King and The Queen for this special opportunity.”

Joshua, Age 15, an Anne Frank Trust Ambassador from Abbey Grange School, said: “Going to Buckingham Palace and being welcomed by His Majesty The King and Her Majesty The Queen was an incredible honour. It is something I never imagined I would experience. Standing there as an Anne Frank Trust Ambassador, alongside Holocaust survivors, made me realise how important it is for my generation to never forget the Holocaust. It was a moment that reminded me why we must keep challenging antisemitism and all forms of prejudice today.”

At the Anne Frank Trust Holocaust Memorial Day Lunch in 2025, Her Majesty The Queen said: “Let’s unite in our commitment to take action, to speak up and to ensure that the words ‘Never Forget’ are a guiding light that charts a path towards a better, brighter and more tolerant future for us all.”

We were also glad to share this occasion with friends and colleagues from the Holocaust Education Trust and the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust.