His Majesty King Charles III will privately write to the families of the three Royal Navy service personnel who died in a helicopter crash earlier this morning.
The crash occurred in the early hours of Wednesday morning in a field near Sourton Down, in central Devon.
Emergency services rushed to the scene close to Okehampton, Devon and Cornwall Police said.
A Buckingham Palace source has told GB News that the King is aware of the tragic tragic incident, adding that His Majesty will personally write to the families.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed the deaths of the Navy personnel on social media, posting: "It is with deep sadness that we can confirm three members of the Royal Navy have died during a helicopter training exercise on Wednesday 3 June near Sourton, Devon.
"The families of the Service personnel have been informed and have requested a period of grace before further details are released.
"Our thoughts and sympathies are with their families and friends at this sad time."
In a statement, the head of the Navy, General Sir Gwyn Jenkins, said he was "deeply saddened" by the news of the fatal crash.
"I know this will come as a huge shock to all in our Naval community," the statement read.
"My deepest condolences go out to the families, friends and loved ones impacted by this tragedy.
"I would like to thank Devon and Cornwall Police and the search and rescue teams who responded to the incident this morning."
He confirmed an investigation is underway and more details will be given in due course.
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