Prince Charles

Prince CharlesImage: Getty Images

As Vice President, Mike Pence probably isn't used to being ignored in this way 

At the start of the World Holocaust Forum in Jerusalem, however, the Vice President felt the full effects of a Royal snub.

Hundreds of world leaders and dignitaries gathered at Yad Vashem, Israel's official memorial to victims of the Holocaust.

The World Holocaust Forum is a series of events held with the aim of preserving memories and acknowledging the horror of the Holocaust. There have been 5 events to date, the first was held in Krakow, Poland, in 2005.

This year the event was based on 'Remembering the Holocaust, Fighting Antisemitism' and was attended by several world leaders such as Vladimir Putin, Emmanuel Macron, and of course Mike Pence.

Prince Charles spoke at the event, which marks the 75th anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp. Charles will spend two days in the Holy Land, first spending some time in Jerusalem before moving to Bethlehem in the occupied Palestinian territories. 

The speech

In his speech, Charles spoke powerfully and candidly about the lessons that can be learnt from history

The lessons of the Holocaust are searingly relevant to this day. Seventy-five years after the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau, hatred and intolerance still lurk in the human heart, still tell new lies, adopt new disguises, and still seek new victims. All too often, language is used which turns disagreement into dehumanization. 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 ensures, and acts of unspeakable cruelty are still perpetrated around the world against people for reasons of their religion, their race or their beliefs.

This visit makes Charles the most senior Royal yet to visit Israel. Footage from the event shows a curious incident which appears to show Charles walking past Mike Pence without shaking his hand. Naturally, this has caused much speculation around the world as to the reasons why Charles and Pence didn't share a greeting. A spokesperson for Pence has claimed the pair shared a chat prior to the incident, but who knows what the truth could be.

Have a look at the video below, and let us know what you think