London: Prince Charles has been announced as a special guest at a black-tie charity gala in London, where the city's elite will gather to raise thousands of pounds to support the Red Cross bushfire relief appeal.

The future king, who is a passionate environmentalist and avid climate change campaigner, will attend the ritzy event on March 12, which is being organised by the Australia's High Commissioner to the UK George Brandis.

Intense bushfires throughout the Australian summer gutted several communities along the eastern seaboard. More than 30 people were killed, thousands of homes and buildings were destroyed and the impact on fauna and flora was widespread.

In the aftermath of the fires, Prince Charles released an emotional video message to the people of Australia, saying he and Camilla had been in "terrible despair" watching the "appalling horror" unfolding on their television screens.