Coronavirus: Prince Charles sends Victorians in lockdown a message of hope

Prince Charles has delivered a heartfelt and poetic video message to Victorians in lockdown.

Prince Charles says he has ‘always felt a special fondness for Victoria’. Picture: AFP

Prince Charles has delivered a heartfelt and poetic video message to Victorians in lockdown, saying his “special thoughts” are with the state.

The Prince of Wales, who recovered from COVID-19 in March, drew on the words of 19th-century poet Victor Daley, telling Victorians in stage four “you will soon see sorrow go down with the sun.”

“These difficult and often soul-destroying days will surely pass, and we have no doubt that Victoria will emerge stronger than ever,” he said in the video.

“My heart goes out to all those currently battling the disease, those caring for them … and those who have so tragically lost their loved ones.”

Princes Charles, 71 reflected on his time in Victoria attending Geelong Grammar School in 1973.

“I have always felt a special fondness for Victoria, having spent six very happy months there at school 54 years ago, and having had a chance to explore various parts of the state,” he said.

The future King also praised Victorians for their tenacity during a difficult year, with the pandemic following a horrific summer bushfire season.

“My wife and I have endless admiration for your seemingly unceasing capacity for good humour in the face of great hardship,” he said.

“However, I realise this capacity has been sorely tested this year which has surely been a tremendously difficult one for Australia and especially, if I may say so, for Victoria.”

“I can only imagine just how incredibly hard it must be for you all, having had such early success in combating the virus, you now find yourselves in the midst of this second wave with all of its heartbreaking consequences.”

He paid tribute to the state‘s essential workers on the frontline of the pandemic.

“To all of you, I just wanted to say on behalf of my wife and myself that you are so much in our special thoughts at what I can imagine is a tremendously testing and frustrating time,” he said.

“We care deeply for what you are having to go through.”