Brave Sophie becomes the first British royal to visit Ukraine since the start of the war: Duchess of Edinburgh meets President Zelensky and the First Lady as she pays respects to victims of Putin’s invasion
The Duchess of Edinburgh is the first British royal to visit Ukraine since the Russian invasion began.
Sophie, 59, met with President Zelensky and his wife – and delivered a personal message from King Charles – as she shared her loneliness with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and torture during her emotional one-day trip.
The mother-of-two traveled in her role as a campaigner for the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.
It is understood she was ‘keen to show her solidarity with men, women and children affected by the Russian invasion’.
The Duchess listened as survivors of sexual violence, both men and women, courageously shared their stories and spoke with displaced women – internally displaced people – and volunteers who are helping their communities cope with the trauma of the invasion.
The Duchess of Edinburgh (right) poses for a photo with Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska (left) at St. Sophia’s Cathedral during what was the first visit to the country by a member of the royal family since the Russian invasion
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, was seen smiling as she looked at the ceiling of St. Sophia’s Cathedral next to Olena Zelenska
The Duchess was shown frescoes on Monday as she toured the UNESCO World Heritage Site
During her visit, Sophie also met survivors of sexual violence, both men and women, who courageously shared their stories
She also visited the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), where she met victims of the Russian invasion
The Duchess was spotted petting a dog during her visit to the UNFPA office in Kiev on Monday
Sophie poses for a photo with people at the UNPFPA office, with the Duchess ‘keen to show her solidarity with the men, women and children affected by the Russian invasion’
The Duchess speaks to UNFPA staff and hears how they are working to help victims of the Russian invasion
Sophie speaks to people at the UNFPA office in Kiev. The Duchess also spoke to internally displaced women (IDPs) and volunteers who are helping their communities cope with the trauma of the invasion.
Sophie also signed the guestbook at St. Sophia’s Cathedral in Kiev on Monday during her whirlwind visit to the city
She also met children who have now been safely returned to Ukraine after being forcibly separated from their families and deported by Russia as part of an ongoing campaign to erase Ukrainian culture.
And she paid her respects to those who lost their lives in Bucha, two years after its liberation from Russian forces, and visited the ‘Road to Life’, a bridge that became a key part of the Ukrainian resistance when it was blown up. stopped the advance of Russian troops into Kiev and later became a crucial route for people to flee to safety from the Russian occupation.
It is understood that she particularly wanted to express her support for Ukrainian women who have played an important role in the conflict and community recovery, and she held a meeting with female volunteers who are helping their communities cope with the aftermath of the attacks with activities in the field of mental health care for children. .
During a meeting with President Zelensky and First Lady Zelenska, Sophie discussed how we can best support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and the women peacebuilders who play a crucial role in ensuring Ukraine’s effective and long-lasting recovery.
At a conference last month, Her Royal Highness said: ‘Survivors here and around the world have spoken out so courageously about their experiences.
“They are the most powerful advocates who remind us all that we must not turn our backs on the horrors of this crime and that we must never forget the survivors.
The Duchess views a historic model of Kiev at St. Sophia’s Cathedral in Kiev during her visit on Monday
Sophie was captivated by the ornate decoration in the 6th-century monument, known as one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh, visits St. Sophia’s Cathedral in Kiev on Monday in the first visit by a member of the royal family to Ukraine since the Russian invasion
The Duchess looks at the ornate decorations of the cathedral, which is named after the 6th-century Hagia Sophia Cathedral in Istanbul
A guide shows Sophie a model of St. Sophia’s Cathedral during a tour of the religious complex
The Duchess (left) today visited St. Sophia’s Cathedral in Kiev together with the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska (right)
Sophie walks in the shadows of St Sophia’s Cathedral on Monday during a visit to Kiev in her role as a campaigner for the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and the Women, Peace and Security agenda
Sophie looks at the grave of Yaroslav I the Wise, the founder of St. Sophia’s Cathedral in Kiev
“Instead, we must stand shoulder to shoulder with all survivors to secure justice and holistic redress, and ensure that this crime does not become an accepted part of the conflict.
“Their rights and their voices must be at the heart of all our efforts to consign conflict-related sexual violence to the history books.”
Since 2022, Britain has pledged more than £4.7 billion in non-military aid to Ukraine. This includes more than £660 million in bilateral assistance that prioritizes the needs of women and girls, for example by funding essential services for survivors of gender-based violence, and working with the Office of the Attorney General to put survivors at the center in the approach to the prosecution of conflict-related crimes in the field of sexual violence.
Britain is also working with international partners to hold those responsible for atrocities to account.
Buckingham Palace said in a statement: ‘Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh is visiting Ukraine at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, to show solidarity with the women, men and children affected by the war and in the wake of her work to defend survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.
“Her Royal Highness met the President and First Lady of Ukraine this morning and delivered a message to them on behalf of His Majesty the King.”