King Charles III issued a heartfelt statement to honor the 67 people who tragically died in a plane crash in Washington, DC, earlier this week.
“My family and I have been profoundly shocked and saddened by the dreadful news of the tragic air accident in Washington, D.C., which has led to such a devastating loss of life,” His Majesty said in a statement released by the Buckingham Palace Saturday.
“Our hearts, and our special thoughts, are with the people of the United States and our deepest possible sympathy goes to the families and loved ones of all the victims.”
Charles, 76, concluded his message by saying he would “like to pay a particular tribute to the emergency responders who acted so quickly to this horrendous event” and reportedly signed off the note “Charles R.”
According to royal experts, the “R” stands for Rex, which means king in Latin.
Charles has visited Washington, DC, multiple times in the past, with his most recent trip taking place in 2018 for former President George H.W. Bush’s funeral.
The monarch does not appear to have any plans to come overseas to America anytime soon, though, as he is battling cancer. He revealed his diagnosis in February 2024 following a routine prostate procedure.
Aside from Charles, several members of the US figure skating community issued their condolences to those whose lives were lost in the plane crash, as several up-and-coming skaters were on the flight.
Olympians Tara Lipinski and Adam Rippon took to social media to express their grief, while Nancy Kerrigan gave an emotional press conference from the Skating Club of Boston on Thursday.
The 1992 Winter Olympics medalist, 55, said at the time amid tears that she was in a state of “shock” and added, “When you find out you know some of the people on the plane, it’s … even a bigger blow.”
On Wednesday evening, American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with an Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River, leaving no survivors behind.
There were 60 passengers and four members of the cabin crew on the regional jet, as well as three soldiers aboard the chopper at the time of the crash.
President Trump said during a White House press conference after the tragic accident, “This was a dark and excruciating night in our nation’s capital and our nation’s history.”
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