King sends message of condolence after Myanmar earthquake

King Charles III has sent his condolences to the people of Myanmar after Friday's deadly earthquake.

In a message on social media, King Charles spoke of the shock and sadness he and the Queen felt about the earthquake, which killed more than 1,600 people.

He sent their "deepest possible sympathy" to those who had lost loved ones, homes or livelihoods.

The King is understood to be staying at his Highgrove estate after spending time in hospital earlier this week due to side effects from his cancer treatment.

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The 7.7-magnitude quake killed hundreds at the epicentre near Mandalay, Myanmar. Its powerful effects could be felt hundreds of miles away in Thai capital Bangkok, as well as in China and India.

There have been reports of widespread devastation in the Saigaing region and in Mandalay, where buildings have been flattened and temple spires toppled. Officials in Myanmar say more than 1,600 have died so far, with another 2,376 injured.

The UK Foreign Office said it would send £10 million in humanitarian aid to Myanmar to support the response "in the hardest hit areas of the earthquake".

Charles wrote: "My wife and I were most dreadfully shocked and saddened to learn of the devastating earthquake in Myanmar, with its tragic loss of life and appalling damage to homes, buildings and livelihoods, not to mention the destruction of sacred pagodas, monasteries and other places of worship.

"I know that the people of Myanmar continue to endure so much hardship and tragedy in your lives, and I have long admired your extraordinary resilience and spirit."

He added: "At this most difficult and heartbreaking of times, my wife and I send our deepest possible sympathy to all those who have suffered the profound tragedy of losing their loved ones, their homes and their precious livelihoods."

The King, 76, cancelled a trip to Birmingham on Friday on medical advice, Buckingham Palace said. He had spent a short time in hospital the previous day.

He left Clarence House, his London residence, on Friday morning to travel to his Gloucestershire estate.

His cancer diagnosis was announced in February 2024. The Palace has not said what type of cancer he has, nor what the recent side effects were.