‘We wish you all the best’: Prince William and Kate Middleton send video message to bushfire concert

As tens of thousands of Aussies including volunteer firefighters rocked out in Sydney, Prince William sent a message of support from across the miles.

Prince William has shared a message of support to Australia from himself and his wife Kate, the Duchess of Cambridge, ahead of the pair’s expected tour to bushfire-ravaged parts of the country.

The message was beamed to the tens of thousands packed inside Sydney’s ANZ stadium tonight for the Fire Fight Australia concert and countless others watching the live broadcast.

The message from Prince William. Picture: Twitter/@Channel7

“Hello, everyone. Catherine and I just wanted to say that we were very shocked and saddened to see the damage and devastation caused by the bushfires recently,” Prince William said.

“We know it’s been a terrible time for all of those affected by the bushfires.

“We want to commend the bravery and resilience of all Australians involved, particularly the volunteer firefighters who have put their lives on the line to protect lives, livelihoods and wildlife. We think that’s been a fantastic effort all ‘round by everyone down there looking after each other.

“We know there’s been lots of incredible acts of generosity as well and communities coming together to support each other.

“We wish you all the best for the rebuild and have a good evening.”

Thank you Prince William. #FireFightAustralia pic.twitter.com/uA66Ga4Xor

— Channel 7 (@Channel7) February 16, 2020

Australian artists Amy Shark, 5 Seconds of Summer, Guy Sebastian and Jessica Mauboy were among those to take to the stage at Sunday’s nine-hour bushfire relief concert, hosted by comedian Celeste Barber who herself has raised more than $50 million for the RFS.

Queen and Adam Lambert were one of the drawcards with a 22-minute original Live Aid set.

For First Time In Its History, Queen, Fronted By Singer @adamlambert will perform the Band’s Iconic 1985 Live Aid Set tonight for #FireFightAustralia!👑 Queen will perform the original 22 minute Live Aid set widely regarded as one of the greatest live performances of all time! pic.twitter.com/BTBssIqshk

— Queen (@QueenWillRock) February 16, 2020

Communities on the bushfire-ravaged NSW south coast hope a potential royal visit by William and Kate will shine a spotlight on the region and its reconstruction efforts and boost tourism.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison is expected to issue a formal invitation to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge “soon”, once discussions with Kensington Palace about the details of the bushfire tour are concluded.

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, at Echo Point in the NSW Blue Mountains in April 2014. Picture: Arthur Edwards/WPA Pool/Getty Images

Cabinet minister Simon Birmingham said previous visits by members of the royal family had lifted tourist numbers to Australia.

“We hope that can all be locked down with an announcement from the royals pretty soon because it is going to be a great opportunity to remind the rest of the world that Australia is still a fantastic place to visit full of rich and amazing experiences,” the senator told the Nine Network last week.

The trip would be William’s fifth visit to Australia and the couple’s first since 2014.

Prince William and Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, at the base of Uluru on April 22, 2014. Picture: Scott Barbour/Getty Images

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William’s message echoed a poignant video from his father, Prince Charles, in early January.

The future King of England said he and Camilla, the Duchess of Cornwall, acknowledged it was a “hopelessly inadequate way” of sending support but wanted Australians to know they were in their thoughts.

“Both of us have been in despair over the last several weeks watching this appalling horror unfolding in Australia and witnessing so much of what you’re having to go through from this distance,” he said.

“Those of you who have tragically lost your properties, your houses, everything – to me it is, and to both of us, not to be believed possible.”

Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip also last month thanked the Australian emergency services for their efforts.

Watch and read live coverage of the Fire Fight Australia concert here.

With AAP