PRESS ASSOCIATION -- The Prince of Wales has become patron of the appeal fund to raise money for the families of the miners killed in the Gleision Colliery tragedy.
Clarence House confirmed the heir to the throne took the decision, and said he was "deeply saddened" by the deaths of the four men.
The fund has quickly raised more than £20,000, and it is believed the royal has already made a substantial contribution.
A spokesman from Clarence House said: "He was invited to be the royal patron and he has close links to that area. He followed the story and was deeply saddened by what happened."
The Prince and his wife, the Duchess of Cornwall, also sent a private message to the families of those who died.
The community has been left bereft by the deaths of Phillip Hill, Charles Breslin, David Powell and Garry Jenkins, whose bodies were discovered in the flooded mine on Friday after a massive search and rescue effort.
Neath MP Peter Hain said: "This is a boost for the miners' families who are numb and desolate after the tragedy.
"Only a day old, minersappealfund.org has already raised over £20,000 with hundreds of donations small and large."
Floral tributes were laid near the scene of the tragedy, including a poignant message from Phillip Hill's daughter Kyla. She left a bouquet of flowers with card close to the mine where the miners' bodies were found. On the card, she wrote: "Hi dad, I love and miss you forever. Love you all the money in the world and America. From Kyla x"
It has emerged that Mr Jenkins, 39, from the Swansea Valley, was the first to be found by emergency services, followed by Mr Powell, 50, known to friends as "Dai Bull", from the Swansea Valley, Mr Hill, 45, from Neath, and Mr Breslin, 62, from the Swansea Valley.