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Prince Charles warned against the rise of populist groups persecuting minorities today, in a passionate defence of refugees.

He said rising intolerance had "deeply disturbing echoes of the dark days of the 1930s".

And in the spirit of Christmas, he said, people should remember how the Nativity story unfolds, "with the fleeing of the Holy Family to escape violent persecution."

In a recorded message broadcast on Radio 4's Thought For The Day, the Heir to the Throne said we are seeing "the rise of many populist groups across the world that are increasingly aggressive towards those who adhere to a minority faith."

(Image: Nick Knight/Courtesy of Clarence House)

Of the rise of anti-refugee sentiment being fuelled by populist groups, he said: "All of this has deeply disturbing echoes of the dark days of the 1930s.

"I was born in 1948, just after the end of World War II in which my parents’ generation had fought and died in a battle against intolerance, monstrous extremism and an inhuman attempt to exterminate the Jewish population of Europe.

"That nearly 70 years later we should still be seeing such evil persecution is to me beyond all belief. We owe it to those who suffered and died so horribly not to repeat the errors of the past."

He suggested both the family of Jesus and the Prophet Mohammad would be considered refugees fleeing persecution today.

He said: "Whichever religious path we follow the destination is the same. To value and respect the other person, accepting their right to live out their peaceful response to the love of God."

When he succeeds to the throne, the Prince of Wales will take on the title of 'Defender of the Faith', making him the figurative head of the Church of England.

But in a 1994 interview he suggested the spirit of the title should be changed to reflect a more diverse Britain: "I personally would rather see [my future role] as Defender of Faith, not the Faith."