The Royal Family React To The Australia Fires

Australia's devastating bush fires show no signs of abating. Since September, 23 people have been killed, 1,500 homes destroyed and an estimated 500 million animals have perished as a result of the crisis, reports the BBC. Thousands of people have been forced to evacuate their homes, dozens have been reported missing, and a state of emergency has been declared in New South Wales.

Countless celebrities and high-profile figures have spoken out with messages of support, urging their followers to donate to help the firefighters and relief efforts⁠—including the royal family.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge said they continue to be "shocked and deeply saddened" by the crisis in a post on the official Kensington Royal Instagram account.

"Our thoughts and prayers are with all the people and communities who are affected by this devastating event," they wrote. "We send our deepest condolences to the families and friends of those who have tragically lost their lives, and the brave firefighters who continue to risk their own lives to save the lives of others."

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The Duke and Duchess of Sussex nodded to the areas they visited in New South Wales during their royal tour of Australia in 2018, while also acknowledging the similarly tragic fires across California, parts of Africa and the Amazon.

"We are struck by the increasingly overlapping presence of these environmental disasters, including of course the destruction of the Amazon which continues," they wrote. "This global environmental crisis has now been described as Ecocide. It’s easy to feel helpless, but there’s always a way to help."

They concluded their post by featuring a series of links to charities and organisations which are accepting donations.

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The Queen sent an official message of condolence to the Governor General of Australia, Governor of New South Wales, Governor of Queensland, and Governor of Victoria and to all Australians, which was published on the official royal family Instagram account.

"I have been deeply saddened to hear of the continued bushfires and their devastating impact across many parts of Australia," she wrote. "My thanks go out to the emergency services, and those who put their own lives in danger to help communities in need. Prince Philip and I send our thoughts and prayers to all Australians at this difficult time."

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This article originally appeared on Harper’s BAZAAR UK.