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Queen visits Germany's Bergen-Belsen concentration camp site Queen visits Germany's Bergen-Belsen concentration camp site
(35 minutes later)
The Queen is visiting the site of the World War Two concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen, in Germany.The Queen is visiting the site of the World War Two concentration camp at Bergen-Belsen, in Germany.
The camp, where teenage diarist Anne Frank was among thousands to die, was liberated by British soldiers in 1945.The camp, where teenage diarist Anne Frank was among thousands to die, was liberated by British soldiers in 1945.
The UK monarch, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, laid a wreath at a memorial there on the final day of her four-day state visit to Germany.The UK monarch, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh, laid a wreath at a memorial there on the final day of her four-day state visit to Germany.
The Queen also viewed Berlin's Brandenburg Gate before travelling to the site of the camp near Hanover.The Queen also viewed Berlin's Brandenburg Gate before travelling to the site of the camp near Hanover.
Around 50,000 prisoners from all over Europe were killed at Bergen-Belsen or died later as a result of their treatment in the camp.Around 50,000 prisoners from all over Europe were killed at Bergen-Belsen or died later as a result of their treatment in the camp.
At the scene
By Peter Hunt, BBC royal correspondent
This was a Queen who lived through World War Two as a teenager, coming to learn first-hand about some of the very worst excesses of a former enemy.
With Prince Philip she passed the mounds that mark where the mass graves are. There are 13 mounds. They contain the remains of more than 20,000 people.
There was no pomp or ceremony; just a couple from the wartime generation taking their time to reflect and to pay their respects.
The 89-year-old Queen and her husband, who's 94, walked quite a distance through what remains of the camp, met a few of those who lived and three of the British soldiers who set them free. The survivors and the liberators told them about their shared experience of horror.
At the end the Queen said to one person: "It's difficult to imagine isn't it."
Read more from Peter Hunt
Read moreRead more
Bergen-Belsen liberated 70 years agoBergen-Belsen liberated 70 years ago
Bergen-Belsen survivor reunites with one of the camp liberatorsBergen-Belsen survivor reunites with one of the camp liberators
The Belsen 'finishing camp' rememberedThe Belsen 'finishing camp' remembered
The Queen and Prince Philip will visit a memorial to Anne Frank and her sister Margot, and meet a small group of survivors and liberators, as well as representatives of Jewish and Christian communities.The Queen and Prince Philip will visit a memorial to Anne Frank and her sister Margot, and meet a small group of survivors and liberators, as well as representatives of Jewish and Christian communities.
Millions of copies of Anne Frank's Diary, written during the two years the teenager and her family hid from the Nazis in occupied Amsterdam, have been sold across the world.Millions of copies of Anne Frank's Diary, written during the two years the teenager and her family hid from the Nazis in occupied Amsterdam, have been sold across the world.
British troops found 60,000 prisoners when they entered the gates in April 1945, suffering from malnutrition, disease and the brutal treatment they had endured.British troops found 60,000 prisoners when they entered the gates in April 1945, suffering from malnutrition, disease and the brutal treatment they had endured.
Thousands of corpses also lay unburied on the camp grounds.Thousands of corpses also lay unburied on the camp grounds.
One of the first British soldiers to arrive after liberation described the scene to BBC Radio 5live.One of the first British soldiers to arrive after liberation described the scene to BBC Radio 5live.
Corporal Bernard Levy, who was 19 at the time, said: "It was so horrendous that nobody could take it in.Corporal Bernard Levy, who was 19 at the time, said: "It was so horrendous that nobody could take it in.
"For 68 years I'd shut the whole subject out of my mind."For 68 years I'd shut the whole subject out of my mind.
"But we've got to make sure that this particular horror stays in people's minds.""But we've got to make sure that this particular horror stays in people's minds."
Analysis
By Peter Hunt, BBC royal correspondent
When the Queen was a teenager, British soldiers - who'd sworn allegiance to her father - were at war with Germany.
Now, as an octogenarian head of state, she'll visit one of the gruesome reminders of that conflict.
The Queen's officials say it will be a personal and reflective occasion.
The camp where Jews, gypsies and homosexuals perished in their tens of thousands has been called "a place of horror" by Germany's President Gauck; "an abyss" in the heart of his country.
The broadcaster Richard Dimbleby, who visited Bergen-Belsen in 1945 and who had an enviable command of the spoken word, told listeners he found it hard to describe accurately "the horrible things I have seen and heard".
The camp has gone; mounds marking mass graves remain.
The Queen has said her presence will underline the complete reconciliation that has taken place between Britain and Germany.
Read more from Peter Hunt
On Thursday, the Queen and Prince Philip enjoyed a traditional British garden party at the official residence of Britain's ambassador to Germany, Sir Simon McDonald, in Berlin.On Thursday, the Queen and Prince Philip enjoyed a traditional British garden party at the official residence of Britain's ambassador to Germany, Sir Simon McDonald, in Berlin.
The royal couple have already attended a state banquet with UK and German leaders, held a private meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and visited Berlin and Frankfurt.The royal couple have already attended a state banquet with UK and German leaders, held a private meeting with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and visited Berlin and Frankfurt.
The tour seems to have been a regarded as a success by the press in Germany.The tour seems to have been a regarded as a success by the press in Germany.
German tabloid Bild referred to her Majesty as "the Queen of England and the Queen of Europe" and praised her punctuality.German tabloid Bild referred to her Majesty as "the Queen of England and the Queen of Europe" and praised her punctuality.
Welt newspaper has been running a special interactive section on its website complete with live footage of the Queen's visit as well as a series of royal features on her family history, her relationship with Princess Diana and her Bentley.Welt newspaper has been running a special interactive section on its website complete with live footage of the Queen's visit as well as a series of royal features on her family history, her relationship with Princess Diana and her Bentley.
Jana Bergmann, 16, told the UK's Daily Telegraph: "I love the Queen. She is an idol for everyone. We are all fascinated by her."Jana Bergmann, 16, told the UK's Daily Telegraph: "I love the Queen. She is an idol for everyone. We are all fascinated by her."
After their visit to the former concentration camp, the Queen and Prince Philip will return to the UK.After their visit to the former concentration camp, the Queen and Prince Philip will return to the UK.