As hurricane Beryl wreaks havoc across the Caribbean, King Charles has sent a message to all those affected. The British monarch—who is head of state in eight Caribbean countries— has also made a substantial donation to the relief effort according to aides.
“My family and I have been profoundly saddened to learn of the dreadful destruction caused by Hurricane Beryl across the Caribbean,” the King said in a statement released by Buckingham Palace yesterday. “Above all, we send our heartfelt condolences to the friends and families of those who have so cruelly lost their lives. I have seen the extraordinary spirit of resilience and solidarity that people across the Caribbean have shown in response to such destruction – a spirit which has been called upon too often—and so I also send my particular gratitude to the emergency services and volunteers who are supporting the rescue and recovery efforts. At this most difficult of times, please know that our most special thoughts and prayers are with all those whose lives, livelihoods and property have been so utterly devastated.”
Prince William and Kate have also made a private donation, a Kensington Palace spokesperson said. They are said to be following the situation closely. Beryl has killed at least 10 people and devastated thousands of homes after first hitting land in Grenada on Monday. It has struck Barbados, St Vincent and the Grenadines, Venezuela, Jamaica and the Cayman Islands. It has been reported as the earliest hurricane on record to reach a category five storm.
King Charles is currently head of state in eight Caribbean countries which are known as Commonwealth realms; Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Belize, Grenada, Jamaica, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia and Saint Vincent and the Grenadines. His mother Queen Elizabeth was also head of state in Barbados until it became a republic in 2021, and several other countries in the region have signaled they expect to one day follow suit. Earlier this year Jamaican minister Alando Terrelonge told the UK's Independent newspaper that the country was on track to remove Charles as head of state by 2025. In Jamaica's case, unlike with Barbados, a referendum must be held to decide this as different countries have different processes they must follow to become a republic.
Town & Country Contributing Editor Victoria Murphy has reported on the British Royal Family since 2010. She has interviewed Prince Harry and has travelled the world covering several royal tours. She is a frequent contributor to Good Morning America. Victoria authored Town & Country book The Queen: A Life in Pictures, released in 2021.
