Britain and the Royals must do more for Australians in their hour of need

In the Netflix series The Crown an entire episode is dedicated to the disaster at Aberfan. More than 100 people – mainly schoolchildren – lost their lives in October 1966 when a junior school and surrounding buildings were buried under a landslide from a colliery spoil tip. Grief spread far beyond the valleys of South Wales to grip the entire British nation.

The Queen put out a swift statement giving her condolences but didn’t visit the scene for more than a week and not until after Lord Snowdon and the Duke of Edinburgh had each attended. Her Majesty’s slow response is said to remain one of her biggest regrets during a reign which has seen few mistakes.

Is the Royal Family repeating this mistake in its response to the devastating Australian forest fires that have so far claimed more than 20 lives, injured dozens more and destroyed many hundreds of homes?