Prince William has sent his offers for sympathy and condolences to Japan Friday as he addressed thousands of New Zealanders present at a national memorial in Christchurch Friday.

The Prince led the memorial service for the quake victims in Christchurch where an estimated 182 people are believed to have died in the incident.

According to the Agence France Presse, the Prince expressed his admiration on how people of Christchurch have shown the world their ‘resolute response to the disaster’.

He however took the service as an opportunity to send his offers of condolences to Japan for the sufferings they have now been undergoing.

He told the people of Christchurch and the rest of New Zealanders that the devastating disasters in Japan have given them a ‘unique insight into the situation facing Japan today’

“This community, more than any other in the world, can appreciate the full horror of what is unfolding in Japan. Our thoughts and prayers are with them too,” the Prince was quoted as saying in the memorial service by the Agence France Presse.

The Prince is joined by New Zealand Prime Minister John Key and other key officials as he paid tribute to the victims of quake in Christchurch.