King Charles and Queen Camilla have issued a touching message on a deeply troubling concern.
The British Royal Family took to Instagram on Wednesday, September 16, to share the monarch and Queen’s new statement, in which they expressed being “appalled” by the “devastating impacts” of wildfires that hit the UK this summer.
In the statement, the King penned, “My wife and I have been appalled by the devastating impact of wildfires this summer and the terrible destruction they have caused to homes, livelihoods and landscapes, not only in this beautiful part of the Cairngorms, but across the United Kingdom and - as we have seen - other regions of Europe.”
He continued, “I can only express my admiration and appreciation to all those who have worked so tirelessly and courageously, in the U.K. and beyond, to bring these fires under control and to those supporting communities facing the long road to restoration and renewal that still lies ahead.”
“The shock of witnessing these fires around the world in recent months reminds us forcibly of the mounting pressures that prolonged heat and drought are placing upon our precious Earth, and of the increasingly urgent need not only to strengthen our collective resilience, including through preparedness and risk reduction, but also to tackle the root causes of climate change which, if not addressed, risk creating conditions which will make such tragic and costly events ever more frequent,” the 77-year-old Royal added.
As the statement neared its conclusion, King Charles expressed hope that the affected communities would continue to show compassion and resilience as recovery efforts remain underway, finding strength in one another to rebuild.
He signed off the statement writing “Charles R.”
2026 UK wildfires
The UK has experienced a severe wildfire season in 2026, with several parts of England, Wales, and Scotland affected by massive fires.
Factors such as hot, dry and drought-like conditions made it easier for fires to spread, damaging forests, grasslands, and wildlife habitats.
By August 10, more than 23,000 hectares were burned in fire, resulting in the UK experiencing its hottest summer on record in 2026.
