Queen pauses Balmoral summer holiday to share devasting message, 'I am deeply saddened'

The Queen has paused her summer holiday in Balmoral to send a profound message to those affected by the floods in Pakistan. 

• The monarch took to Instagram to write the message, signing it off with her name.
• The flash floods have killed over 1000 people and could affect millions of other people in the country.
• To donate head to British Red Cross or Islamic Relief.

The Queen began her Balmoral holiday with two-week stay at Prince Philip’s favorite summer cottage back in July - and she's likely to stay in Balmoral Castle until early September.  

However, the Queen took a break yesterday to tell the world that the royal family and UK are thinking about those affected by the devasting floods in Pakistan - with a heartfelt Instagram message, signed by the Queen herself.

The monsoon rains and flash floods in Pakistan have had a devasting impact on the country - leaving $10bn (£8.5bn) of damage in its wake.

In a bid to show how the royal family and the UK have been impacted by the awful news the Queen took to social media yesterday to say, "I am deeply saddened to hear of the tragic loss of life and destruction caused by the floods across Pakistan.

"My thoughts are with all those who have been affected, as well as those working in difficult circumstances to support the recovery efforts. The United Kingdom stands in solidarity with Pakistan as you recover from these terrible events."

The floods are said to be worse than those that hit the country in 2010, with a third of Pakistain currently underwater - while government officials believe there will be food shortages and a big financial impact on the country.

Pakistan's planning minister Ahsan Iqbal told the Reuters news agency."I think it is going to be huge. So far, (a) very early, preliminary estimate is that it is big, it is higher than $10 billion."

The Queen traveled to Balmoral Estate in Scotland to begin her annual summer holiday last month, after spending most of June busy with the Platinum Jubilee celebrations and performing both virtual and in-person engagements. It's understood that she will remain at the Highlands estate until September when her work calendar resumes for the autumn and winter.