Royal Family Is 'Utterly Heartbroken' by Notre Dame Fire: 'It Is a Treasure for All Mankind'

Royals from around the world are thinking of Paris in the wake of the fire that devastated Notre Dame cathedral.

Queen Elizabeth sent a message to the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, on Tuesday, one day after flames completely consumed the landmark’s roof and took down the church’s towering spire.

“Prince Philip and I have been deeply saddened to see the images of the fire which has engulfed Notre-Dame Cathedral,” the monarch, who celebrates her 93rd birthday this weekend, said. “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.”

Prince Charles also released a statement, sharing that he and wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, were “utterly heartbroken” by the tragedy.

“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,” he said. “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.”

Charles, 70, continued, “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.”

Crown Princess Marie-Chantal of Greece, who spent several years living in Paris, reflected on Twitter.

“As a little girl I lived on the île st Louis in Paris right next to the Notre dame,” she captioned a photo of the iconic building on fire. “This is so sad and heartbreaking. Hoping and praying no one was injured.”

The Spanish royal family also reacted on social media with a message of hope.

“The French people will rebuild it, it will raise it without a doubt again,” they said. “And we will be there, the whole world is and will be with France. The cathedral of Notre Dame will rise from its ashes.”

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French President Emmanuel Macron said in a speech on Monday night that the cathedral would be rebuilt.

A public fundraising drive has already been announced and opened Tuesday morning in France.

“The worst has been avoided, but the battle isn’t fully won yet,” Macron, 41, told crowds outside the church.

He continued, “It is with pride I tell you tonight we will rebuild this cathedral . . . we will rebuild Notre Dame because it is what the French expect of us, it is what our history deserves, it is, in the deepest sense, our destiny.”