LONDON, April 16 (Xinhua) -- Britain's Queen Elizabeth has expressed her deep sadness and sent a message of support to the people of France in the wake of the Notre Dame Cathedral fire, Buckingham Palace said Tuesday.

"Prince Philip and I have been deeply saddened to see the images of the fire which has engulfed Notre Dame Cathedral," she said in the message.

"I extend my sincere admiration to the emergency services who have risked their lives to try to save this important national monument. My thoughts and prayers are with those who worship at the Cathedral and all of France at this difficult time," she added.

Meanwhile Prince Charles and the Duchess of Cornwall also extended their sympathies in a letter to French President Emmanuel Macron, saying that his wife and him are "heartbroken" to learn the tragedy, stressing that the cathedral has "truly special significance" and is a "treasure for all mankind."

"I realize only too well what a truly special significance the cathedral holds at the heart of your nation; but also for us all outside France it represents one of the greatest architectural achievements of Western Civilization," he said in the letter.

"It is a treasure for all mankind and, as such, to witness its destruction in this most dreadful conflagration is a shattering tragedy, the unbearable pain of which we all share," he added.

A major fire on Monday engulfed the 850-year-old Gothic building Notre Dame Cathedral, resulting in the collapse of its spire and roof, but the main structure, including the two bell towers, has been saved.

Notre Dame is considered one of the finest examples of French Gothic architecture which receives about 12 million visitors every year.