The London Eye, BT Tower, the Natural History Museum and the Imperial War Museum in both London and Manchester are among iconic buildings which will be illuminated purple on Wednesday for a “national moment” on Holocaust Memorial Day.

With no physical gatherings in lockdown, people across the UK are being asked to light memorial candles by their windows at 8pm to remember genocide victims. Wembley Stadium will be among other landmarks to light up for HMD and Premier League stars including Manchester United’s Bruno Fernandes and Chelsea skipper Cesar Azpilicueta will also promote the “Light the Darkness” campaign through social media.

Commemorative events will all be online and the national ceremony will include contributions from the Prince of Wales and Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

The prince said that as “the last generation of living witnesses is tragically passing from this world, so the task of bearing witness falls to us.

“That is why the Holocaust Memorial Day Trust, of which I am so proud to be patron, has this year chosen the theme 'Be the Light in the Darkness'. This is not a task for one time only; nor is it a task for one generation, or one person. It is for all people, all generations, and all time. This is our time when we can, each in our own way, be the light that ensures the darkness can never return.”

HMDT chief executive Olivia Marks-Woldman said this year’s priority had been to keep contributors, “especially Holocaust survivors, safe. We are so grateful to everyone who has made HMD happen. It has enabled everyone – despite the pandemic – to learn from genocide for a better future.”