Kate Middleton and Prince William Issue Statement amid Summer Break Out of the Public Eye

Kate Middleton and Prince William took a brief break from their private summer holiday to send a message of condolence following the devastating flash flood in Nepal.

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Kate Middleton and Prince William took a brief break from their private summer holiday to issue a statement

The Prince and Princess of Wales followed King Charles’ lead in sending a message of condolences to the victims of the deadly flash flood in Nepal

Over 300 are dead and 1,000 still missing after the shocking disaster on Aug. 26

Kate Middleton and Prince William took a brief break from their private summer holiday to share an important message.

The Prince and Princess of Wales, both 44, issued a statement on their social media pages about the Aug. 26 flash flood in Nepal that has so far left 300 dead and 1,000 still missing.

“The scale of the devastation along the Nepal-China border is shocking. We are thinking of everyone caught up in this terrible disaster,” the statement read. “Our thoughts are especially with the families facing an unbearable wait for news and with the communities confronting such immense loss.”“We are incredibly grateful to all those working in such dangerous conditions to rescue people and support those affected.”

Prince William and Princess Kate’s statement came just after a similar missive of concern and condolences from King Charles.

The King’s statement read, “My wife and I are heartbroken to hear of the devastating flooding that has struck the Nepal-China border. Many in the United Kingdom have strong, deep and personal ties to this part of the world. We send our most profound sympathy to all those who have so tragically lost their loved ones, and we feel deeply for the many families awaiting anxiously the news of friends and relations.”

“Our hearts go out also to the families of all the police and Armed Forces personnel who lost their lives while carrying out their courageous duty in the service of others, and we give our deepest thanks to those who have responded so selflessly in undertaking rescue efforts,” it continued. “Our special thoughts and prayers remain with all those affected and, as always, the United Kingdom stands ready to help support those in need.”

The statements come after the royals spent time at Balmoral Castle in Scotland for their annual late-summer holiday.

Prince William and Princess Kate along with their children — Prince George, 13, Princess Charlotte, 11, and Prince Louis, 8 — arrived in Scotland on Thursday, Aug. 20. On Sunday, Aug. 23, they were seen attending church at Crathie Kirk with other members of the royal family, including King Charles, Queen Camilla, Princess Anne and her husband, Sir Timothy Laurence, and Prince Edward and his daughter Lady Louise.

Balmoral has been a royal summer respite since the reign of Queen Victoria. It was especially beloved by the late Queen Elizabeth, who was known to leave for Scotland in late July and not return to London until October, with other members of the family joining her for periods of her stay. The history-making monarch died at Balmoral Castle in September 2022.

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This year’s royal gathering in Scotland came after PEOPLE exclusively revealed that Prince Harry and Meghan Markle are relocating their family to the U.K. for an extended period of time.

The Duke and Duchess of Sussex, who stepped back from their roles as working royals and relocated to California in 2020, arrived in on Aug. 26 with their children, Prince Archie, 7, and Princess Lilibet, 5. The family plans to establish a private, non-royal U.K. home base, with Archie and Lilibet set to begin school next month.

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Prince Harry’s return to the U.K. comes weeks after a reunion with the King; however, Harry’s bond with Prince William remains deeply strained and distant, with “no contact,” a source told PEOPLE last month.

Despite the rift between the brothers, some say that Harry’s return to his home country presents the “best opportunity” for them to reconcile.

“Catherine may step into that breach and try to help, too, because she knows how important family is and how important Harry is to William,” a source tells PEOPLE in this week’s cover story. “She would want to see that healed, as any wife would. This gives them opportunity to try and mend that bridge.”

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A source said that King Charles “will want to see his sons together over time. This is the best opportunity we have seen in recent years.”

Prince Harry previously voiced his wishes to restore relationships with his family, telling the BBC in May 2025, “I would love reconciliation with my family. There’s no point in continuing to fight anymore.”

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