Princess Charlene and Prince Albert II of Monaco have expressed their “sincere support” to those affected by the devastating wildfires sweeping across Europe.
The royal couple addressed the “difficult” environmental crisis in France, Spain and the UK in a rare joint statement shared by the Prince’s Palace of Monaco.
“As violent fires affect numerous regions of the world, notably in France, Spain, and the United Kingdom, Princess Charlene joins me in extending our most sincere support to all those suffering the consequences. Our thoughts are with the affected families, those forced to leave their homes, and all communities mobilised in the face of this ordeal,” Albert wrote in a translated message.
He continued: “We salute the remarkable courage of the firefighters, rescue teams, and all those who work tirelessly to protect populations and preserve threatened territories.”
“These fires also affect precious natural environments and a fragile biodiversity. They result in part from the major disruptions affecting our climate, and more than ever call for courageous responses,” the Prince added.
“Protecting our environment is an urgency that must unite us all. In these difficult moments, our solidarity accompanies each and every person affected.”
What to know about the wildfires
Europe is currently facing devastating wildfires amid extreme heatwaves, with regions across France, Spain and the UK the worst affected.
360,000 people were evacuated across France and Spain since the wildfires spread last week. The southwest of France has taken the brunt of the devastation, with an area reportedly four times the size of Paris being burnt. As of Thursday, 84,000 people who were forced to leave their homes have been given the green light to return.
A fire that has burned in the Cairngorms in Scotland since 15 July has destroyed around 10 sq miles according to the BBC. Firefighters have warned of a risk of flare ups in the area.
Prince William addresses ‘devastating’ wildfires
The Prince of Wales also spoke out about the “devastating” wildfires in Europe in a heartfelt statement on Monday evening.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by the devastating wildfires across France, Spain and the UK,” the royal wrote in a message posted to the Prince and Princess of Wales’ Instagram.
He continued: “We are deeply grateful to the firefighters, emergency services and volunteers working tirelessly in extraordinarily difficult conditions. These events are a stark reminder of the challenges posed by an increasingly extreme climate and the importance of protecting both people and nature.”
© Getty ImagesJust like his father King Charles, Prince William has been a long-time advocate for climate awareness and launched his own environmental initiative, The Earthshot Prize, in 2020.
“Urgent optimism is the heartbeat of The Earthshot Prize. It’s the belief that although the challenges we face are immense, the solutions are within reach and we must act with speed and conviction to bring them to life,” William told HELLO! exclusively. “It’s not blind hope. It’s hope backed by evidence, by ingenuity and by the courage of those who refuse to give up on our planet.”
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