LONDON — The Princess of Wales has expressed her sadness following a Royal Navy helicopter crash that killed three service personnel during a training exercise in Devon, issuing a personal statement through Kensington Palace on Wednesday.

The incident occurred shortly before 4 a.m. on June 3 when a Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed at Sourton Down near Okehampton. Emergency services were alerted around 3:45 a.m., and images from the scene showed significant damage to the aircraft. The Ministry of Defence confirmed the deaths of the three crew members, with families already informed.

In a statement released on the royals' official social media channels, Kate Middleton, who serves as Commodore-in-Chief of the Fleet Air Arm, said she was deeply saddened by the loss. "I was so saddened to hear of the tragic loss of three service personnel from the Fleet Air Arm following a helicopter training exercise last night," the statement read. "William and I hold their families and friends in our hearts at this very difficult time."

The Princess and Prince of Wales are expected to make private contact with the families in the coming days. King Charles III has also been briefed on the incident and is understood to be writing personally to those affected.

The head of the Navy, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, expressed his condolences in a separate statement. "I am deeply saddened to share the news that three crewmembers onboard a Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter have died after it crashed in the early hours of this morning near Sourton, Devon," he said. "I know this will come as a huge shock to all in our naval community, and my deepest condolences go out to the families, friends and loved ones impacted by this tragedy."

The crash has prompted an immediate investigation by military authorities. Mountain........

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