Prince and Princess send stark warning over climate 'emergency' amid catastrophic Europe wildfires

Prince Albert and Princess Charlene of Monaco have issued a stark warning that "protecting our environment is an emergency" amid the devastating wildfires in Europe.

Thursday saw locals on the Greek island of Paros and in the surrounding areas of Sussex, UK, evacuated as wildfires continue to spread across the continent.

The blazes have savaged France and Spain already, with French President Emmanuel Macron declaring the situation as the worst disaster the country has seen since the Second World War.

Around 360,000 people have been evacuated from their homes across the two nations since the fires broke out.

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Prince William sent his thoughts and condolences to those affected by the blazes in a statement released earlier this week.

"These events are a stark reminder of the challenges posed by an increasingly extreme climate and the importance of protecting both people and nature," he declared.

Now, he has been joined by Monaco's Prince Albert and Princess Charlene, as they sent their "deepest support to all those affected" in a statement posted on social media.

The royal couple said their thoughts are with the families who have been "forced to leave their homes, and all the communities mobilised to face this ordeal".

They added: "We salute the remarkable bravery of firefighters, emergency crews, and all who work tirelessly to protect populations and preserve endangered territories.

"These fires also affect precious natural habitats and fragile biodiversity. They are the result of major disregulations affecting our climate, and are calling for brave answers more than ever. Protecting our environment is an emergency that must bring us all together.

"In these difficult times, our solidarity is with each of those affected."

France announced this afternoon that 144,000 people who had been evacuated in the Gironde region in the southwest have been allowed to return to their homes.

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An area four times the size of Paris burnt in the region, though emergency services confirmed there was no spread overnight and conditions today have proven more stable.

A huge blaze near Madrid, which had been described as the largest the region had ever seen, was also contained overnight.

However, in the UK, officials warned the wildfire burning near a nuclear plant on the Suffolk coast could burn for another 36 hours, after a major incident was declared.

Jon Lacey, chief fire officer in Suffolk, told Sky News the fire is proving "seriously challenging" due to the windy conditions, high temperatures and difficult-to-access terrain.

Prime Minister Andy Burnham said the situation is "very serious".

"I will make sure that Suffolk Fire and Rescue Service have all of the support, the mutual aid, from other services that they need, and any other resources that need to be brought to bear," he declared today.

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