Prince Charles makes ‘substantial personal donation’ to heartbreaking cause as he opens up on ‘catastrophic’ situation

Prince Charles is ‘grateful’ that so many of the world’s largest charities have come together to launch a vital appeal.

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales looks at products at Jodrell Laboratory at The Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew on September 28, 2021
(Image credit: Photo by Peter Nicholls - WPA Pool/Getty Images)

Prince Charles has reportedly donated a “substantial” sum to support a vital crisis appeal as he opened up on the “catastrophic” situation in Afghanistan as winter sets in. 


As the eldest of the Queen’s children and first in the royal line of succession, the Prince of Wales is a devoted Royal Patron to many important charities and organizations. One such patronage is the humanitarian organization, International Rescue Committee (IRC), which Prince Charles has supported as its first UK Patron since 2020. Now with winter officially here and temperatures dropping, he has reportedly personally donated to help a vital crisis appeal to help Afghanistan. 

According to Express.co.uk, a senior royal source has claimed Prince Charles made a “substantial personal donation” to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) Afghanistan Crisis Appeal. The Prince of Wales’ patronage the IRC is a member charity of the DEC and in addition to this reported major donation, he has also highlighted the devastating situation for those living in Afghanistan and how many lives could be lost this winter without support. 

In a heartfelt message he declared, “The situation in Afghanistan is truly catastrophic. More than half the population will face acute hunger and freezing temperatures this Winter, including 1 million children under five who could die unless they receive immediate treatment for malnutrition.”

Prince Charles then went on to reflect upon the life-saving “collective effort” of so many of the world’ largest charities to support the people there. 

“This is why I am so grateful that some of the world’s biggest charities have come together to launch an emergency appeal to support people in Afghanistan,” he continued. “I am proud to support this collective effort to provide the people of Afghanistan with emergency food, nutritional support for children and Winter kits to help them stay warm.”

He also seemingly referenced the turbulent recent times for the country, with so many people across the world wondering how to help Afghanistan in the aftermath of the takeover, with the IRC “increasing their efforts” to help people in need. 

“The International Rescue Committee has been on the ground in Afghanistan for thirty years and despite everything, they are increasing their efforts to reach those most in need,” Prince Charles powerfully concluded. 

People can continue to donate to the Afghanistan Crisis Appeal via the ICR and DEC websites and since it was launched, the IRC reports they’ve gone on to raise more than £17.5 million ($23.2 million). 

Prince Charles, Prince of Wales and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall talk with European chief of IRC, Sanj Srikanthan (R), Nele Kapretz (L), the managing director of Impact Hub, Leon Reiner (2L) and the director of jobs4refugees, Robert Barr (3-L)

Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall talk with European chief of IRC, Sanj Srikanthan (R), Nele Kapretz (L), the managing director of Impact Hub, Leon Reiner (2L) and the director of jobs4refugees, Robert Barr (3-L)

(Image credit: Photo by Felipe Trueba - Pool/Getty Images)

This was achieved in just five days, with aid already being distributed on the ground in Afghanistan. Members have been supplying winter clothing to help keep families warm, with mobile healthcare teams deployed and firewood and stoves have also been purchased to help those in need. 

The UK Government has also announced it will match the first £10 million donated by the public pound-for-pound to this appeal. Although reports of Prince Charles’ “substantial personal donation” have not yet been confirmed by the Prince herself, his support of this vital appeal at such a difficult time is incredibly important. 

Emma Shacklock

Emma is a Royal Editor with eight years experience working in publishing. Her specialist areas include the British Royal Family, ranging from protocol to outfits. Alongside putting her royal knowledge to good use, Emma knows all there is to know about the latest TV shows on the BBC, ITV and more. When she’s not writing about the next unmissable show to add to your to-watch list or delving into royal protocol, Emma enjoys cooking, long walks and watching yet more crime dramas!