Royal response to Brussels attacks

The shock at the attacks in Brussels this morning is felt across the world. Lives have been lost and many other people have been injured in the bomb explosions at Zaventem airport and Maelbeek metro station today. And that shock has been expressed by Europe's royals as well.

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians

King Philippe and Queen Mathilde of the Belgians' first words on the attacks which have killed some of their compatriots summed up the sense of horror at what has happened. The monarchs said they were shocked and called the attacks heinous and cowardly. And they said their first thoughts are with the victims and their families and with the emergency services who are working so hard to help. Philippe, King of the Belgians will make a TV address tonight at 7pm.

The Belgian flag over the Royal Palace in Brussels

King Harald V of Norway sent his condolences to the Belgian people. The Norwegian monarch sent a message to King Philippe, offering his condolences and expressing his deepest sympathies to the people of Belgium. He described the attacks as heinous and said he had received news of them 'with great sadness'. Harald V added that ''this tragedy in the heart of Europe reminds us once again of the importance of protecting our core democratic values.''

King Harald V of Norway has sent condolences to King Philippe and the Belgian people

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden sent condolences on behalf of himself and his family and said the they had heard about the attacks with dismay and horror He offered their sympathies to the victims and their families and also said that ''in this difficult moment, we are all united against these ruthless terrorists''.

King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden

King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain were among the first royals to send condolences to the Belgian people using Twitter to express their sympathies to those affected and offer their support and solidarity to Belgium, its people and its institutions.

Consternados por los atentados en la capital de Europa #Bruselas Nuestra solidaridad y apoyo a Bélgica, sus instituciones y el pueblo belga

— Casa de S.M. el Rey (@CasaReal) March 22, 2016

The Casa Real account also said that King Felipe had sent a message of sympathy to King Philippe of the Belgians.

King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain sent a message to the Belgian people and to the country's king

Prince Albert II of Monaco said, in his message of condolence sent to King Philippe, that he, his family and the Monagasque people remembered the victims of these 'hateful terrorist attacks' and offered sympathy to their families. 

Prince Albert went on to express support for all those injured in the attacks or touched by them in any way and promised the Belgian King and people that they had all his support and solidarity.

Prince Albert II of Monaco sent a message to King Philippe of the Belgians

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands made reference to the close relationship between his country and Belgium in the message he sent to King Philippe expressing his condolences following the explosions. The Dutch monarch said that his country's neighbours had been hit by violent attacks and the people of Brussels are experiencing uncertainty and fear. 

King Willem-Alexander of the Netherlands

He added that 'Europe is now once again put to the test' and said that it was now necessary to 'show our collective strength and uphold the values of freedom and solidarity.''

This page will be updated as more news comes through.