- Hello ›
-
- Royalty
The Queen interrupts summer break with heartfelt message: 'I am deeply saddened'
Her Majesty has spoken out
AUGUST 29, 2022 - 10:37 BST BY
RACHEL AVERY
Her Majesty the Queen has interrupted her annual Balmoral break with a heartfelt statement, revealing she is "deeply saddened".
On Monday, a statement was released about the environmental situation in Pakistan where the country has received widespread flooding. The extreme weather has resulted in 1,000 people losing their lives and many homes have been left devastated.
The message was issued to the country’s president, Arif Alvi, and it read:
"I am deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of life and destruction caused by the floods across Pakistan.
My thoughts are with all those who have been affected, as well as those working in difficult circumstances to support the recovery efforts. The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with Pakistan as you recover from these terrible events."
Pakistan has been devasted by floods
The message was personally signed “Elizabeth R” despite the monarch currently being on her annual summer break at the Balmoral estate.
While the Queen has toned down her official engagements now due to mobility issues, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge did represent Her Majesty on a tour of Pakistan in 2019.
They paid a special visit to the colourful Kalash village in Chitral and Duchess Kate couldn't resist pulling out her trusty camera to take memorable photographs of the beautiful location.
Alongside that, the Prince of Wales has said he is donating to Islamic Relief, an international aid charity in support of the work to help those affected by the floods. Charles said "my wife and I are deeply saddened by the devastation caused buy the recent floods in Pakistan."
He added: "Our hearts go out to all the victims and their loved ones and to the millions of people who have lost property and their livelihoods.
“Your country is very special to us, with deep and enduring bonds to the United Kingdom. We would like to pay a particular tribute to the Government of Pakistan, the military and emergency services, the countless volunteers and aid agencies who are working tirelessly to save lives and support those in need.
Times like these remind us of the fragility of our planet and the urgent need for humanity to live in harmony with nature. Our prayers are with all our friends in Pakistan.”
Prime Minister
Boris Johnson also said "it's heartbreaking to see the continuing devastation wrought by the floods in Pakistan".
In a tweet he added his "my thoughts go to the victims and those helping with an heroic relief effort. The United Kingdom is sending support and continues to stand by the people of Pakistan in their hour of need."
The horrific floods have taken at least 1,033 lives and affected around 33million people so far.
The deadly
weather has been labelled a “serious climate catastrophe” by the country’s climate minister as the death toll continues to rise.
The country has increasingly struggled with floods as climate change melts the glaciers in Pakistan - Pakistan is home to the highest number of glaciers outside the polar region.
This causes a huge "glacial lake outburst" which combined with heavy monsoon rains have proven so deadly.
The floods in Pakistan have claimed over 1,000 lives and affected an estimated 33million people so far as the Queen has said she is "deeply saddened" by the ongoing destruction
www.mirror.co.uk
