In a rare move, Prince Charles shared a video to the Australian public in the wake of the catastrophic bushfires sweeping the nation.
Posting to the Clarence House official social media channels, the Prince of Wales highlighted the “impossible and terrifying circumstances” in motion, but in doing so has shown how the monarchy is catching up with the 21st century.
Prince Charles has recorded a video message to the people of Australia.
(Image: Clarence House)“I fear this is a hopelessly inadequate way of trying to get a message to all of you that both my wife and myself are thinking of you so very much at such an incredibly difficult time and in such impossible and terrifying circumstances,” Prince Charles, 71, opened his message.
“But I did want to say that both of us have been in despair over the last several weeks watching this appalling horror unfolding in Australia and witnessing so much of what you’re having to go through from this distance,” he added, with an image overlay of the devastation caused by the fires.
“Those of you who have tragically lost your properties, your houses, everything – to me it is, and to both of us, not to be believed possible. and I know how many houses have been lost.”
WATCH BELOW: The scale of Australia’s bushfires. Post continues after video…
The heir to the throne continued, “But above all, we wanted to say how much we’ve been thinking of all those remarkable, courageous, determined firefighters who have done so much and worked ceaselessly to exhaustion. And we feel so deeply for the families of those who have been lost and have lost their lives in the course of carrying out their remarkable duties, as only they can do.”
“We also think of all the Australian wildlife that is destroyed in these appalling infernos, let alone everything else.
“I know, we both know, just how incredibly special and resilient the Australian people are, so I know at the end of the day, despite all this horror, you will find a way to face it all and win through.
“All I can say is that we are thinking of you, we are praying for you in the most determined way … I’m very proud to know you all.”
Prince Charles’ message to Australia differed greatly from the Queen’s.
(Getty)Unlike the Queen’s message on behalf of herself and Prince Philip that was a simple written statement, Charles, who has been a vocal environmentalist for years, showed a more personal take as well a link to the Red Cross so that followers can donate.
Prince William and Duchess Catherine also issued a statement but theirs similarly reflected the traditional style. Prince Harry and Duchess Meghan were the only other royal family members to redirect their followers to a list of charities and they referred to the global environmental crisis as an “Ecocide.”
So does this give us an indication of how Prince Charles could rule once he ascends to King?
Prince Charles has not only been a passionate environmentalist since the 1970s, but he’s also encouraged a passion to better the planet in sons William and Harry.
In fact, the princes revealed that he would take them litter picking on holiday when they were younger!
But despite his activism, in the BBC documentary Prince, Son & Heir: Charles at 70 commissioned for the royal’s milestone birthday, the royal grandfather said that his involvement with the monarchy will take a different turn once he becomes king.
“I do realise that it is a separate exercise being sovereign. So of course… you know I understand entirely how that should operate,” he said.
Prince Charles with his sons and naturalist David Attenborough.
(Getty)But despite accepting that things will have to change once he is King, his nearest and dearest know that he will always be a passionate man.
“He’s pretty impatient, he wants things done by yesterday as I think everybody who works for him will tell you,” Duchess Camilla revealed in the documentary.
“But that’s how he gets things done, he’s driven by this, this passion inside him to really help. He would like to save the world.”
