The Queen has expressed her sympathy for people around the UK who have been affected by the severe flooding this past week. Her Majesty released a statement via Buckingham Palace, empathising with those who have been hit by Storm Desmond.
"Please convey my sympathy to all those whose homes or livelihoods have been affected by the recent flooding," she wrote.
"My thanks go to members of the emergency services, local authorities, military personnel and volunteers who are providing assistance in these difficult conditions."
The Queen thanked those who have provided help "in these difficult conditions"
The message was posted on the royal family's official Twitter account and signed Elizabeth R.
In the lead-up to Christmas, thousands of people have been forced to leave their homes as they have been flooded out. Many are still left without power as the Met Office continues to warn of more rain and wind.
The areas that have been worst hit by Storm Desmond are Cumbria and Lancashire as well as parts of North Yorkshire, southern Scotland, north Wales and Northern Ireland.
A scene at Cumbria, the worst-hit county
Some schools in Cumbria remain closed and some hospital procedures have been cancelled.
As the flood waters recede, a major clean-up operation is on the way. Engineers have worked to restore power and in the northern county, all but 1,500 homes have regained electricity.
Two deaths related to Storm Desmond have been confirmed since the floods started over the weekend – one of a man in Cumbria and another of an elderly man in Northern Ireland.