{"id":2315616,"date":"2026-03-06T14:27:48","date_gmt":"2026-03-06T14:27:48","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/?p=2315616"},"modified":"2026-03-06T14:27:48","modified_gmt":"2026-03-06T14:27:48","slug":"prince-william-issues-emotional-statement-after-tragic-loss-of-life-in-armed-raid","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/prince-william-issues-emotional-statement-after-tragic-loss-of-life-in-armed-raid\/","title":{"rendered":"Prince William issues emotional statement after &#8216;tragic loss of life&#8217; in armed raid"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-body\">\n<h2 class=\"LeadText_lead-text__wd_PA __className_869c3b\" data-testid=\"leadtext\">The Prince of Wales has issued an emotional statement after five members of staff were killed at a national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo<\/h2>\n<p><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX ImageEmbed_image-lead__Ti3qQ\" data-testid=\"leadimage\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36190735\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.5\"><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"The Prince of Wales is a long-time advocate of wildlife rangers\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">The Prince of Wales is a long-time advocate of wildlife rangers<cite aria-label=\"Image: PA\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: PA)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Prince William has issued an emotional message after an armed raid at a national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo resulted in the deaths of five staff members. <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/prince-william\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">The Prince of Wales<\/a>, who has been a long-term advocate for those working in wildlife protection and fronted a series on wildlife rangers last year, spoke about the loss of life in a poignant post online.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The events unfolded at the Upemba National Park earlier this week, when the park\u2019s headquarters in Lusinga was attacked by Mayi\u2011Mayi militia, who also looted equipment and destroyed infrastructure. Five rangers were killed defending the park and its vital resources.<\/p>\n<p><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_cdb6af\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36827465\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/royals\/kate-middletons-surprise-reaction-unexpected-36827465\" tabindex=\"0\">Kate Middleton&#8217;s surprise reaction to unexpected offer after slipping off her shoes<\/a><\/span><\/span><span data-testid=\"readmore\" class=\"ReadMore_readmore-prefix__xS44r __className_cdb6af\">READ MORE<!-- -->: <span class=\"ReadMore_readmore-link__eF9pN\"><a target=\"_blank\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36826676\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/royals\/prince-harry-ally-gives-update-36826676\" tabindex=\"0\">Prince Harry ally &#8216;gives update&#8217; on his feud with Prince William and issues warning<\/a><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-group\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-34201624\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"34201624\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:1.8\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Prince William has expressed his sadness over a raid a national park in the DRC that killed five rangers\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article34201624.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/2_MAIN_SOCIAL_PRINCEWILLIAM.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article34201624.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/2_MAIN_SOCIAL_PRINCEWILLIAM.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article34201624.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/2_MAIN_SOCIAL_PRINCEWILLIAM.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article34201624.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/2_MAIN_SOCIAL_PRINCEWILLIAM.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Prince William has expressed his sadness over a raid a national park in the DRC that killed five rangers\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Prince William has expressed his sadness over a raid a national park in the DRC that killed five rangers<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Writing on the official <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/instagram\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Instagram<\/a> page for the Prince and <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/Kate-middleton\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Princess of Wales<\/a>, William said: \u201cI am truly saddened to hear of the tragic loss of life at Upemba National Park in the Democratic Republic of Congo, following an armed raid of the park earlier this week.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">\u201cEnvironmental protection has become one of the most dangerous jobs on the planet and the bravery of those on the frontline of conservation must never be forgotten. My thoughts are with the families and friends of the park staff who lost their lives defending our natural <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/world-news\/\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">world<\/a>.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Upemba National Park is one of the DRC\u2019s most important conservation areas, and the incident underscores the increasing danger faced by rangers and environmental defenders globally.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The Congolese Institute for the Conservation of Nature (ICCN) confirmed the attack, as they said the park&#8217;s HQ at Lusinga in Katanga province was &#8220;the target of an armed raid carried out by a group of unidentified assailants&#8221;, adding: &#8220;Five members of the park&#8217;s staff have tragically lost their lives.&#8221;<\/p>\n<div data-testid=\"image-grouped\">\n<div class=\"ImageGroupEmbed_container__i0sRj\" data-testid=\"portrait-image-group\">\n<div class=\"ImageGroupEmbed_image-group-item__XHC82\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-34064080\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"34064080\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:2\/3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Prince William \" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article34064080.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Royal-visit-to-South-Africa-Day-Four.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article34064080.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Royal-visit-to-South-Africa-Day-Four.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article34064080.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Royal-visit-to-South-Africa-Day-Four.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article34064080.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Royal-visit-to-South-Africa-Day-Four.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"William said their lives &quot;must never be forgotten&quot;\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">William said their lives &#8220;must never be forgotten&#8221;<cite aria-label=\"Image: PA\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: PA)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<div class=\"ImageGroupEmbed_image-group-item__XHC82\"><button class=\"SlideViewerButton_slide-viewer-button__BDJoG\" aria-label=\"Open image viewer\" aria-haspopup=\"dialog\" aria-controls=\"image-lightbox\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-embed__0T8WX false\" data-testid=\"imageembed-36828065\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"36828065\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"image\">\n<div class=\"ImageEmbed_image-container__2AIQm\">\n<figure class=\"Figure_figure__Uce4f\" style=\"--figure-aspect-ratio:2\/3\"><img decoding=\"async\" alt=\"Prince William issued a statement on the raid\" loading=\"lazy\" sizes=\"(max-width: 458px) 458px, (max-width: 615px) 615px, 1200px\" src=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36828065.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Prince-William-shares-message-after-brave-wildlife-rangers-killed-dangerous-raid.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36828065.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s458b\/0_Prince-William-shares-message-after-brave-wildlife-rangers-killed-dangerous-raid.jpg 458w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36828065.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s615b\/0_Prince-William-shares-message-after-brave-wildlife-rangers-killed-dangerous-raid.jpg 615w, https:\/\/i2-prod.mirror.co.uk\/article36828065.ece\/ALTERNATES\/s1200e\/0_Prince-William-shares-message-after-brave-wildlife-rangers-killed-dangerous-raid.jpg 1200w\"\/><\/figure>\n<\/div><figcaption class=\"ImageCaption_caption__j7HRu\" data-testid=\"image-caption\">\n<p aria-label=\"Prince William issued a statement on the raid\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-title__ccyQU\" data-testid=\"caption-title\">Prince William issued a statement on the raid<cite aria-label=\"Image: princeandprincessofwales\/Instagram\" class=\"ImageCaption_caption-credit__wlx1W\" data-testid=\"caption-credit\">(Image: princeandprincessofwales\/Instagram)<\/cite><\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/div>\n<p><\/button><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">The ICCN condemned the incursion as a &#8220;flagrant violation&#8221; of national law and of international conventions protecting natural areas. Created in 1939, Upemba park was home to black rhino, elephants, buffaloes, leopards, lions and other endangered species whose populations have since been largely decimated.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/prince-william\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"\">Prince William<\/a> has long been vocal about the life-threatening work done by the wildlife rangers. In 2025, the Prince of Wales, alongside The Royal Foundation\u2019s United for Wildlife, worked on a documentary titled Guardians to shed light on the vital work rangers do to protect the planet.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">It\u2019s not the only time William has condemned violence at national parks in the DRC. In 2021, the Prince of Wales issued a statement after Africa&#8217;s oldest national park, the 3,000-square-mile Virunga National Park, was ambushed.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">Investigations indicate that six rangers were ambushed while performing vital conservation work at the UNESCO World Heritage Site and had no opportunity to defend themselves, resulting in their tragic deaths.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;The horrendous attack on staff at the Virunga National Park is abhorrent and I condemn the actions of those responsible in the strongest terms,&#8221; William said at the time.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">&#8220;Rangers who work tirelessly to protect both the national park and the neighboring communities should be honored not attacked. They should never find themselves in a position where their lives are on the line.&#8221;<\/p>\n<aside class=\"Factbox_factbox-container__hSMOa\" id=\"factbox\" tabindex=\"0\" aria-label=\"Entering Factbox content\" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"33887216\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"factbox\" data-testid=\"factbox\">\n<h3 class=\"HeadingThree_heading-three__PBHLs Factbox_heading-three__NXU52 __className_7bffe1\">Get the inside scoop on the monarchy with Mirror Royal<\/h3>\n<div class=\"Factbox_content__xdMV8\">\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">WHATSAPP GROUP: <\/strong>Be first to get the biggest royal bombshells and exclusives to your phone by joining our <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/crnch.it\/tDbwIMkd\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\">Royal WhatsApp here.<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\">We also treat our community members to special offers, promotions, and adverts from us and our partners. 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If you\u2019re curious, you can read our<a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\" Privacy NoticeLink opens in a new tab.\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.reachplc.com\/site-services\/privacy-policy\" rel=\"nofollow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_blank\"> Privacy Notice<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">NEWSLETTER: <\/strong>Or sign up to the <a target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"\" class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/newsletter-preference-centre\/?view=Solus&amp;mailingListId=4b0cbed5-3f37-4486-86b2-57afe268814e&amp;utm_source=solusarticle\" rel=\"follow\" tabindex=\"0\" target=\"_self\"><strong class=\"Strong_strong__e2x35\">Mirror&#8217;s Royal newsletter here<\/strong><\/a> to get all the biggest royal news and exclusive pictures, straight to your inbox.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/aside>\n<\/div>\n<p><em> \u2018 The preceding article may include information circulated by third parties \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n<p><em> \u2018 Some details of this article were extracted from the following source www.mirror.co.uk \u2019 <\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Prince of Wales has issued an emotional statement after five members of staff were killed at a national park in the Democratic Republic of Congo The Prince of Wales is a long-time advocate of wildlife rangers(Image: PA) Prince William has issued an emotional message after an armed raid at a national park in the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":2315617,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"jnews-multi-image_gallery":[],"jnews_single_post":[],"jnews_primary_category":[],"jnews_social_meta":[],"footnotes":""},"categories":[43],"tags":[23068,22769],"class_list":["post-2315616","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-royalty","tag-prince-william","tag-royal-family"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/Prince-William-issues-emotional-statement-after-tragic-loss-of-life.jpg","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2315616","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2315616"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2315616\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2315618,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2315616\/revisions\/2315618"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2315617"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2315616"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2315616"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/celebrity.land\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2315616"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}