Queen Elizabeth and Prince Charles Send Their Sympathies Following the Notre-Dame Fire
The day after a fire broke out in Notre-Dame Cathedral, the British royal family has sent their condolences to French President Emmanuel Macron.
Queen Elizabeth issued a short and heartfelt message, taking care to express her gratitude for the emergency workers who battled the fire, as well as the people who worship at Notre-Dame.
Prince Philip and I have been deeply saddened to see the images of the fire which has engulfed Notre-Dame Cathedral.
I extend my sincere admiration to the emergency services who have risked their lives to try to save this important national monument.
My thoughts and prayers are with those who worship at the Cathedral and all of France at this difficult time.
Elizabeth R.
For his part, Prince Charles offered his sincere sympathies for the partial loss of Notre-Dame, a monument which he deems "a treasure for all mankind." He also mentions the royal family's own experience with heritage-destroying fire: the 1992 blaze at Windsor Castle. As with Notre-Dame, Windsor Castle was a itself landmark site, and also home to a collection of priceless artworks. (Thankfully, per the Royal Collection Trust, only two pieces of art were lost, and a full restoration was completed five years after the fire broke out.)
Cher Monsieur le Président,
My wife and I were utterly heartbroken to learn of the terrible fire at Notre-Dame Cathedral this evening and wanted to let you know immediately how much we are thinking of yourself and the French people at this most agonizing of times, and of the emergency services who are so bravely tackling the blaze.
I realize only too well what a truly special significance the Cathedral holds at the heart of your nation; but also for us all outside France it represents one of the greatest architectural achievements of Western Civilization. It is a treasure for all mankind and, as such, to witness its destruction in this most dreadful conflagration is a shattering tragedy, the unbearable pain of which we all share.
Cher Monsieur le Président, our hearts go out to you and the people of France more than you can ever know, especially in view of our experience with the devastating fire at Windsor Castle twenty-seven years ago. We send you our most profound sympathy, however inadequate that may be.
Très cordialement à vous
Charles
The Prince of Wales
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