King Charles III expressed his profound shock and sorrow at the tragic air accident in Washington, D.C., offering condolences to the U.S. and the victims’ families on Saturday. A Buckingham Palace statement conveyed the King’s deep sympathy, extending heartfelt thoughts to the American people and those who lost loved ones in the devastating crash.

He also paid tribute to the swift response of emergency personnel.

The collision, involving an American Airlines jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter, resulted in no survivors among the 69 individuals onboard. The investigation into the cause of the crash is ongoing, and recovery efforts continue. The wreckage remains in the Potomac River pending salvage operations.

This marks the first fatal commercial airline accident in the U.S. since 2009.

The King previously offered condolences in December following another fatal air accident in South Korea which claimed 179 lives.

The royal family has experienced its share of personal tragedies, including the deaths of Princess Diana and several other family members in plane crashes or other incidents.

Members of the royal family frequently travel by air, and several have held pilot’s licenses. King Charles himself had a previous aviation incident.

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