Prince Albert II has written to King Felipe VI of Spain and President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa of Portugal to convey Monaco’s solidarity amid a record-breaking heatwave and destructive wildfires across the Iberian Peninsula.
In a formal dispatch to His Majesty King Felipe VI on Monday 25th August, the Prince wrote: “It is with deep emotion that I learned of the violent fires devastating several regions of Your Kingdom, causing significant material damage and, sadly, loss of life. Princess Charlène and I wish to extend to You, and to the Spanish people, our deepest solidarity and our most sincere compassion. Our thoughts are with the victims, their families, as well as the many injured and displaced. I also salute the courage and dedication of the emergency services and forces engaged in the fight against the flames, who are working tirelessly to protect the population.”
A companion message was sent to His Excellency Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, President of the Portuguese Republic. The Prince wrote: “I learned with great emotion of the terrible fires affecting your country. My family and the population of Monaco join me in expressing to the Portuguese people our solidarity, our compassion for the bereaved families, and our wishes for recovery for the injured. Please be assured, Mr President, of our unwavering support during these difficult times.”
A summer of unprecedented heat
Spain has endured a 16-day August heatwave described by the national meteorological service AEMET as the most intense on record, with the 8th to 17th August period the hottest 10 consecutive days since at least 1950. Provisional analysis places average temperatures roughly 4.6 °C above previous extremes, sharpening fire risk across already parched landscapes.
Scale of the fires in Spain and Portugal
Wildfires have burned over 400,000 hectares in Spain this year and close to 275,000 hectares in Portugal, making 2025 the worst season in years for both countries. Authorities have confirmed fatalities in both nations, while thousands of residents have been evacuated as shifting winds complicate containment efforts.
A wider European emergency
Across the European Union, more than one million hectares have already been scorched in 2025 — the worst year on record with weeks still remaining in the traditional burning season. The figures reflect a broader climate trend towards longer, hotter summers and increasingly destructive wildfires across southern Europe.
Monaco’s stance
Prince Albert II’s letters, conveyed on behalf of the Princely Family and the people of Monaco, reaffirm the Principality’s tradition of standing in solidarity in moments of crisis, while also highlighting the urgency of addressing the escalating challenges posed by climate change.
See also:
Europe hit with worst wildfire season on record amid rising toxic pollution levels
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