King Charles has sent a message of sympathy to the people of Jamaica following the “catastrophic” impact of Hurricane Melissa, which has caused widespread destruction across the Caribbean.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the King said he and Queen Camilla were “deeply concerned and profoundly saddened” to witness the scale of the damage inflicted by the storm, which has left a trail of devastation in its wake.
“My wife and I have been deeply concerned and profoundly saddened to see the catastrophic damage caused by the ferocity of Hurricane Melissa in Jamaica and across the Caribbean,” the King wrote.
“As we continue to follow the situation closely, our anxious thoughts are with all those who have been so cruelly affected by this awful storm.”
He added: “Above all, our most heartfelt sympathy is with the families, friends and loved ones of those who have tragically lost their lives.”
The King paid tribute to the resilience of Jamaica’s people, describing the island as “a land for which I have had the greatest affection ever since I first visited the island while serving in the Royal Navy on the West Indies station over fifty years ago.”
“I know that no disaster can break her people’s enduring spirit of strength, solidarity and steadfastness,” he said.
The hurricane, one of the most severe storms to strike the region in recent years, has destroyed homes, infrastructure and livelihoods across parts of Jamaica and neighbouring islands.
King Charles sends message of support to Jamaica after Hurricane Melissa devastation
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Emergency services continue to conduct search and rescue operations as communities assess the scale of the damage.
In the second part of his message, the King expressed admiration for those responding to the crisis.
“I particularly want to express my sincere admiration for all of you, and especially for those who have responded so courageously when that spirit has been called upon in a desperate situation such as this,” he said.
“I have the greatest appreciation for the efforts of the emergency services, frontline workers and volunteers who are working bravely and tirelessly in support of rescue and recovery efforts across the island.”
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A woman holds her belongings after heavy rains from the outer bands of Hurricane Melissa flooded parts of Les Cayes, Haiti
|REUTERS
The King also used the message to highlight the growing threat of extreme weather events caused by climate change, describing Hurricane Melissa as “the most dreadful of record-breaking storms” and warning of the “increasingly urgent need to restore the balance and harmony of Nature.”
He said: “This most dreadful of record-breaking storms reminds us of the increasingly urgent need to restore the balance and harmony of Nature for the sake of all those whose lives and livelihoods may have been shattered by this heartbreaking disaster.”
The message ended with a note of compassion and solidarity for those affected.
“Our special prayers are with you all,” the King concluded, signing the letter “Charles R”.
Palm trees sway as Hurricane Melissa is expected to make landfall in Kingston, Jamaica
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King Charles has maintained close ties with Jamaica throughout his life, visiting the island several times over the decades.
His words come as international aid agencies and Caribbean governments continue to mobilise relief efforts to support the thousands of people left displaced by the storm.
Officials in Kingston have described Hurricane Melissa as one of the most destructive natural disasters to hit Jamaica in decades, with widespread flooding, power outages and severe damage to coastal communities.