- Prince William, Kate Middleton, Prince Harry, and Meghan Markle responded to the shooting at two mosques that killed 49 people in Christchurch, New Zealand yesterday.
- The royals called the massacre a "senseless attack" and a "horrifying assault."
- The Queen also shared her condolences to those who lost family and friends in the attack and paid tribute to the first responders.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and the Duke and Duchess of Sussex have released an official statement responding to the tragic shootings at two mosques in Christchurch, New Zealand that killed 49 people yesterday, according to The New York Times.
The royal couples denounced the "senseless attack" as a "horrifying assault" and an "affront" to the people of New Zealand and the Muslim community. They also said their "hearts go out" to those who lost family and friends in the massacre and sent their "thoughts and prayers" to everyone in the country. Their message ended with "Kia Kaha," which means "be strong" in Maōri, the indigenous people native to New Zealand.
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were just in New Zealand in October, during their royal tour of the Pacific. Prince William and Kate Middleton have also previously visited the country and were in Christchurch during their three-week tour of Australia and New Zealand in 2014 with son Prince George.
Chris Jackson//Getty Images
The attack marked an "extraordinary and unprecedented act of violence," according to New Zealand's Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern. Gun violence is rare in the country; the last act of mass violence during peacetime was in 1990, when a gunman killed 13 people, NBC News reports.
Yesterday's attacks at the mosques are especially jarring, considering a gunman reportedly posted a white nationalist manifesto before the attack and livestreamed part of the shooting on Facebook, according to The New York Times.
Read the royals' full message below:
Our hearts go out to the families and friends of the people who lost their lives in the devastating attack in Christchurch.We have all been fortunate to spend time in Christchurch and have felt the warm, open-hearted and generous spirit that is core to its remarkable people.No person should ever have to fear attending a sacred place of worship.This senseless attack is an affront to the people of Christchurch and New Zealand, and the broader Muslim community. It is a horrifying assault on a way of life that embodies decency, community, and friendship.We know that from this devastation and deep mourning, the people of New Zealand will unite to show that such evil can never defeat compassion and tolerance.We send our thoughts and prayers to everyone in New Zealand today.Kia Kaha.
Pool//Getty ImagesPrime Minister Ardern with Harry and Meghan in Wellington, New Zealand in October 2018.
The Queen also shared a message in light of the attack:
I have been deeply saddened by the appalling events in Christchurch today. Prince Philip and I send our condolences to the families and friends of those who have lost their lives.I also pay tribute to the emergency services and volunteers who are providing support to those who have been injured.At this tragic time, my thoughts and prayers are with all New Zealanders.Elizabeth R.Prince Charles also shared a message:
Both my wife and I were utterly horrified to hear of the most barbaric attacks on two mosques in Christchurch, which resulted in the cruel and tragic loss of so many people’s lives. It is beyond all belief that so many should have been killed and injured at their place of worship and our most special and heartfelt sympathy goes out to all the families and loved ones of those who have lost their lives.This appalling atrocity is an assault on all of us who cherish religious freedom, tolerance, compassion and community. I know that the people of New Zealand will never allow hate and division to triumph over these things they hold dear.Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families, the first responders, the people of Christchurch and all New Zealanders at this most heartbreaking of times.
Erica Gonzales is the Senior Culture Editor at ELLE.com, where she oversees coverage on TV, movies, music, books, and more. She was previously an editor at HarpersBAZAAR.com. There is a 75 percent chance she's listening to Lorde right now.
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