CANBERRA, Oct. 12 (Xinhua) -- The heir to the British throne has written to Australian farmers struggling through a severe drought to offer his support, local media reported on Friday.

Charles, Prince of Wales and the eldest child of Queen Elizabeth II, wrote the letters of support to sheep farmers across the country.

"I have been greatly saddened to witness one of Australian Merino's most successful seasons in recent years being marred by, perhaps, the worst drought on record in the wool growing regions of New South Wales and in parts of Victoria, Queensland and South Australia," he wrote.

"As a sheep farmer myself, I cannot begin to imagine the anguish that those of you who have been affected by this climatic tragedy must be facing."

Record-low rainfall and above-average temperatures has left farmers praying for rain as they struggle with a drought that some experts have said is the most severe in the continent's history.

Tim Paulet, a sheep farmer from eastern Victoria who was one of the recipients of the letters, said it was a pleasant surprise.

"I thought to myself 'well hang on a minute', he's on the other side of the world and he's recognised there's dry times in Gippsland'," Paulet told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC), referring to the Victorian region renowned for its sheep farmers.

"Prince Charles has obviously got a lot more sway and public influence than your average wool grower in Australia, so I just hope it can be turned into a positive."

The letters arrived just days before Prince Harry, Charles's youngest son, and his wife Meghan Markle were due to arrive in Australia for an official tour.