King Charles issues statement over 'soul destroying' Australian floods

"We can only say that our thoughts are very much with all those who have been affected so badly, especially the family and friends of the five people who tragically lost their lives," Charles said.

"We send our special prayers and deepest sympathy to all who mourn them,” he continued.

The King acknowledged the profound ongoing challenges facing affected communities as they confront what he described as "dreadful, soul-destroying damage to homes, properties and infrastructure, and the loss of precious livelihoods and livestock."

He recognised that hundreds of families have been displaced from their homes following the disaster.

"As the immediate emergency passes, I am only too aware that communities are confronting dreadful, soul-destroying damage.

"I am deeply conscious that the impact of the crisis will endure for many months,” the King said.

The record-breaking deluge claimed five lives and rendered more than 1,200 buildings uninhabitable across NSW's mid-north coast and surrounding regions.

Storms dumped more than six months' worth of rain over three days, smashing records in some areas according to the government weather bureau.

Rapidly rising floodwaters briefly stranded 50,000 people, forcing some to clamber atop cars, houses and highway bridges before helicopters winched them away.

Authorities confirmed that 800 houses have been rendered "uninhabitable", with thousands more properties suffering damage. The flooding has now mostly ended.

The King tempered his sobering message with praise for the thousands of people who responded to the disaster, celebrating the emergency services and volunteer efforts particularly.

“I have the greatest admiration for the emergency services, the volunteers and volunteer organisations, as well as the disaster recovery agencies, who are now gathering to work together and support one another on the long road to recovery," he said.

The response involved 2,200 SES volunteers, 2,000 council and utilities workers, and scores of volunteers from grassroots groups.

Charles offered "heartfelt thanks to all those who, with the indomitable and generous spirit that is so much a part of the Australian character, will bring consolation and practical support to the thousands of people who are in desperate need."

King Charles’ statement was issued in his capacity as the country’s head of state.

It comes as he returned from fellow commonwealth nation, Canada, after he was invited to open the nation’s parliament alongside Queen Camilla.

The royal couple issued a statement upon their departure: “As my wife and I leave Canada, we wanted to send our most heartfelt thanks to all those who turned out to offer their support on this, my first visit as sovereign," the King and Queen said.

"It was the warmest of welcomes - and the fondest of returns to a land and a people we love," they added, concluding with: "Until the next time, au revoir, Canada, et avec tous nos remerciements."

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In his speech at the ceremony, King Charles said: “Many Canadians are feeling anxious and worried about the drastically changing world around them.

"Canadians can give themselves far more than any foreign power on any continent can ever take away.

"And that by staying true to Canadian values, Canada can build new alliances and a new economy that serves all Canadians.”

The speech, which had been crafted by the Canadian government with personal remarks added by Charles, was interpreted as a message to US President Trump amid tensions between Ottawa and Washington.