Prince Albert II of Monaco sent a message to President Joe Biden to express his sorrow after the devastating tornado that hit six states and left a path of unimaginable devastation about 800 kilometres long.
Between Friday and Saturday, a series of tornadoes, produced by heavy storms, unleashed their power on Kentucky, Missouri, Tennessee, Mississippi, Arkansas and Illinois.
In Kentucky alone, the death toll stands at about 80 people, most of them passing away in a candle factory that was operating through the night to meet the demand for the upcoming holidays and did not stand up to the force of the winds.
In his statement, Prince Albert wrote:
“Deeply moved by the devastating tornado outbreak that ripped across six states last weekend, it is with great sadness that I have recently heard of the death toll confirmed in Kentucky alone after the massive twister, part of a powerful storm system that tore across Arkansas, Illinois, Mississippi, Missouri and Tennessee. In these tragic circumstances allow me, along with my family and the population of Monaco, to express our support and compassion to the injured, the homeless and the many that had to be evacuated. May I also salute the massive recovery efforts undergone across the central and southern regions by the National Guard. Let me assure you, Mr. President, of our profound solidarity in this difficult ordeal.”
The Sovereign Prince is particularly attached to the United States, as his mother, Princess Grace, was born in the US, and he was born with American citizenship (though he renounced upon adulthood). He has travelled there frequently, both with and without his parents, and is said to have also brought his children to visit the house where his mother was born, which the Prince purchased in 2016 with the aim of, one day, opening it to the public.
President Biden has received support from all over the world following this tragedy and has visited Kentucky in the past hours to personally check on the federal aid rollout and bring his support to grieving families.
