King Charles’ message to Aussie flood victims raises eyebrows

King Charles has paid tribute to the “extraordinary efforts” of Victorians after floods decimated the state, but it’s what he didn’t say that has surprised many.

King Charles has sent a message of support to Victorians, expressing his concern at the “terrible floods” that have inundated the state.

The new monarch paid tribute to the “extraordinary efforts” of emergency services, the Australian Defence Force, and volunteers in tackling the natural disaster over the past few weeks.

“It is with great concern that my wife and I have followed the news of the terrible floods in recent weeks in Victoria,” the King said in a statement.

His Majesty The King has sent a message to @VicGovernor regarding the ongoing flood emergency in Victoria, Australia:

— The Royal Family (@RoyalFamily) November 16, 2022

“Our heartfelt thoughts are with all those affected and for the losses that have been suffered.”

“It has been particularly inspiring to see how communities have pulled together to protect homes and livestock and to support each other during this appallingly difficult period.

“We send our kindest and special wishes to all Victorians as you continue to demonstrate your remarkable resilience and strength.”

He signed off “Charles R”, which stands for Rex, the Latin translation of King.

The east coast of Australia has been lashed with heavy downpours, which flooded large parts of New South Wales, Victoria and Tasmania, resulting in a number of deaths, thousands of people being evacuated and properties and businesses being swamped.

King Charles sent this photo attached to a message to Governor of Victoria, Linda Dessau, in support of Victoria’s flood crisis. Picture: Supplied

But a number of Australian commenters on the royal family’s Instagram page were not happy that the King did not specifically mention other Australian states, which have been just as badly affected.

“What about South Australia??? A near cyclone rips through Adelaide and the SA region millions of dollars damage power out for days for thousands of households and well no one cares because it’s SA,” said one.

“It’s been just as bad in New South Wales,” said another social media user.

Floods sweep through Mt Martha after a rain bomb smashed the Mornington Peninsula. Picture: Lucy Callander

“NSW is getting smashed too, mate. We’ve had a rough trot down here, droughts, bushfires, Covid and now floods which have been going all year. So many people have lost their homes more than once, so many still displaced. It’s tough but we are tougher,” added another.

King Charles, of course, has a close association with Australia; as a 17-year-old, he spent two terms at Geelong Grammar’s Timbertop campus, a three-hour drive from Melbourne at the foot of the Victorian Alps.

King Charles later declared that his time in Australia had improved his sense of humour.

There are rumours that the new monarch could visit Australia after his May coronation.

He last visited Australia in 2018 to attend the Commonwealth Games in Brisbane and has made a total of 16 trips to the country, the same number his mother, the Queen, made during her lifetime.

Originally published as King Charles’ message to Aussie flood victims raises eyebrows