Members of the royal family have repeatedly shown their support for Ukraine through public visits, messages and meetings. And today that continued in earnest as Queen Camilla invited Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska for a meeting.
The audience was held at 10 a.m. in the Garden Room of the London royal residence Clarence House, where Charles and Camilla spend much of their time when in the capital. A Palace spokesperson said the 30-minute discussion took place on the advice of the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, which deals with the country’s diplomatic relations.
Following the meeting, Mrs. Zelenska posted images of it on her social media. “Was delighted to personally express my gratitude to Her Majesty Queen Camilla, and in her person the whole @RoyalFamily and all people of the UK for supporting 🇺🇦 and our IDP’s,” she posted. “Our values are common — life, freedom, democracy. Thank you for standing up for them together today.”
King Charles, who is currently in London but did not attend the meeting, issued a message last week on the second anniversary of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine. “The determination and strength of the Ukrainian people continues to inspire, as the unprovoked attack on their land, their lives and livelihoods enters a third, tragic, year,” the message read.
A Palace source shared that Mrs. Zelenska thanked the Queen for the King’s message and said how much it had meant to her nation.
“The Queen in turn shared how the UK is thinking of Ukraine as they mark this sad milestone,” the source said, adding that topics of discussion would likely have included the UK’s determination to continue to support the nation.
At a reception ahead of the Coronation last May, the Princess of Wales was pictured, along with First Lady Jill Biden, with Olena Zelenska. President Zelensky was welcomed to Buckingham Palace by the King before that in February 2023.
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King Charles holds an audience with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Buckingham Palace February 2023 visit to the UK.
Members of the royal family have carried out multiple visits in support of people in Ukraine as well as releasing messages on social media and via their press people expressing their solidarity. In March 2022, then Prince Charles condemned the invasion as “brutal aggression.” When he and Camilla met with members of the Association of Ukrainians in Great Britain during a visit to Bolton a member of the organization told T&C that the King and Queen “have been absolutely marvellous in their support, the whole royal family have.”