The King and the Prince and Princess of Wales pay heartfelt tribute after death of Holocaust survivor Manfred Goldberg aged 95 – hailing his ‘extraordinary’ courage and ‘tireless work’ educating young people

The King and the Prince and Princess of Wales have paid heartfelt tributes following the death of Holocaust survivor Manfred Goldberg aged 95.

Mr Goldberg, who met the senior royals as well as Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, devoted his life to Holocaust education and was awarded an MBE at Clarence House in September. He died on Thursday.

And King Charles III said that ‘it meant more to me than I can ever say to have been able to wish the fondest of farewells, a few weeks ago, to a truly special human being’.

In a message of condolence, he wrote: ‘My wife and I were most deeply saddened to hear the news of Manfred Goldberg’s recent death and, together with everyone present, mourn his great loss in our hearts and souls.

‘Above all, it meant more to me than I can ever say to have been able to wish the fondest of farewells, a few weeks ago, to a truly special human being, in whose eyes shone the light of true redemption and humanity.

‘As a survivor of the unspeakable horrors of the Holocaust, I am so proud that he found refuge in Britain, where he would later tell the world of the unimaginable atrocities he had witnessed as a young boy – an enduring reminder for our generation, and generations as yet unborn, of the depths of depravity and evil to which humankind can fall, when reason, compassion and truth are forsaken.

‘Indeed, I was profoundly moved to hear Manfred’s recollections at this year’s reception to mark Holocaust Memorial Day and, more recently, during his investiture ceremony.

‘Together with other Holocaust survivors, he became an integral part of the fabric of our nation; his extraordinary dignity, resolve and courage an example to us all, which will forever be remembered.

‘It was the greatest privilege and joy to have known him and my prayers are with his dear family and those who grieve with them.’

William, who wrapped up his whirlwing tour of Brazil for the Earthshot Prize today, joined Kate in hailing his ‘tireless work’ teaching young people in an emotional statement on Friday.

Kate Middleton pictured chatting with Mr Goldberg during a visit to Poland in 2017

They said: ‘We are deeply saddened by the passing of Manfred Goldberg. Having joined him on a visit to Stutthof, we witnessed first-hand his extraordinary strength, grace and dedication to sharing his story. 

‘His tireless work to educate young people about the Holocaust will never be forgotten. W & C’

Holocaust Educational Trust described Mr Goldberg as ‘truly extraordinary’ following the sad news of his death this week.

Born into an Orthodox Jewish family in Kassel, Germany, in 1930, he was deported with his mother Rosa and brother Herman to the Riga Ghetto in 1941. 

As the Red Army advanced in 1944, he was moved to Stutthof concentration camp near Gdansk and its subcamps, enduring more than eight months as a slave labourer before liberation by the British army in May 1945, aged 15. 

He came to Britain in September 1946 to reunite with his father, Baruch, who had escaped Germany in 1939 with a visa secured via British diplomat Frank Foley. 

After learning English, Mr Goldberg completed an engineering degree and spent decades sharing the story of his family and the millions of Jews killed across Europe. 

Married with four sons, several grandchildren, and a great-grandchild, he returned to Germany in 2018 to lay a memorial stone for Herman, who was murdered during the Holocaust.

In January 2022, he met the then Prince of Wales, a patron of the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, after commissioning paintings of elderly Holocaust survivors.

Mr Goldberg had previously met Kate and William in 2020, describing how moved Kate was during the visit.

‘I recall Princess Kate telling me that once they had decided to visit the camp, they had done a lot of Holocaust-related reading, but she said, ‘Nevertheless, we were not prepared for what we saw and what we heard from you two’,’ he told People.

Karen Pollock, chief executive of the Holocaust Educational Trust, said Mr Goldberg was ‘truly extraordinary’.

She added: ‘Manfred’s passing leaves an irreplaceable void in our hearts and in our community.

King Charles holding an audience with Mr Goldberg at Clarence House in September

Mr Goldberg said the Cambridges’ involvement in keeping the story of the Holocaust relevant today is ‘priceless’

‘Having endured unimaginable horror and loss, he chose to look forward, dedicating his life to ensuring that the atrocities of the Holocaust would never be forgotten and that antisemitism in all its guises would be confronted.

‘Manfred understood the power of education. He spent decades sharing his story with young people across the country and through the Trust’s programme Testimony 360: People and Places of the Holocaust, his legacy is assured.

‘Thanks to digital eyewitness testimony combined with virtual reality, this programme will ensure that his incredible testimony will continue to reach generations of students for many years to come.

‘We will deeply miss Manfred – his kindness, his encouragement, wisdom and his gentle guidance. He was a true Tzadik – a righteous – and we will strive harder than ever in his name to continue his mission.’

X users rushed to praise the Prince and Princess of Wales for their emotional statement.

One wrote: ‘So sad, education needs to continue some people dont know anything about the Holocaust, heartbreaking.’ 

Another added: ‘He clearly touch many and your words are so heartfelt.’ 

A third said: ‘Sorry to hear that. condolences to his family and friends.’

Prince William brought his landmark visit to Brazil to a poignant close with a deeply symbolic meeting with Indigenous leaders at one of the Amazon’s most historic institutions

The Prince of Wales was greeted by Joenia Wapichana, a former politician and President of the National Association for Indigenous Peoples

On his final engagement of what has arguably been a hugely successful first visit to Brazil, William pledged to ‘support’ Brazil’s indigenous communities at the frontline of safeguarding the Amazon.

It came during a meeting with a group of indigenous leaders from across the South American nation, where he hailed them as ‘guardians’.

In a mini-rainforest oasis in the centre of Belem, home to the Museu Emílio Goeldi, a museum focused on the scientific study of the Amazon’s natural and sociocultural systems, William told the leaders: ‘We appreciate you all’.

He added: ‘Thank you so much, all of you, we do hope things improve and everyone realises the importance of what indigenous people and communities do to protect the natural world.

‘You are the guardians and protectors that we all need to support.’

Among the five leaders William met was Juma Xipaia, 33, who has received death threats from organised crime and her fight to protect the Amazon was featured in the documentary Yanuni, which she co-produced with Hollywood star Leonardo Di Caprio.

The film looks at her fight, since childhood, against the construction of the Belo Monte hydroelectric dam in the Xingu river of the Amazon.

She told William how big business was ruining the environment, specifically in the form of the Belo Monte dam, the third largest in the world, and the Belo Sun mine.

Speaking through a translator after meeting William, she said: ‘I told him that it is getting worse because of violence.

The Prince of Wales posed for a photo alongside representatives and leaders of Indigenous Peoples, who come from many different parts of Brazil and represent the different cultures and biomes of Brazil

‘I am a young woman and leader of my people, and I have already received six direct death threats and have been under protection from the UN for some time and decided to get back to my territory because an organised crime organisation was threatening our territory.’

She added that indigenous communities also faced ‘struggles around drugs, alcohol and violence against women and girls’.

A royal aide told the Mail that William had ‘loved’ his visit and was sure to come back one day.

‘This week you saw what Princes William does best, using his platform to create positive change,’ they said.

‘What’s he’s built with Earthshot is so impressive now. It’s becoming a real juggernaut, with some of the biggest businesses on the planet supporting the finalists to scale.’

The fact that some of the ‘biggest names on the planet’ including stars such as Kylie Minogue and Shawn Mendes, as well as the biggest pop star in Latin America, Annita, leant their support speaks volumes about what he has built, they added.

‘The people of Rio, and Brazil, fell in love with William this week,’ another sources added.

‘I think they saw just how down to earth his really is. He left Rio as a Caricoa! (The name of typical Rio people)

‘He loved Brazil. He’ll be back, for sure! ‘

Sources say the prince’s speech at COP30 showed ‘just how much he values working hard to leave the planet in a better state for the next generation’.