Duchess of Edinburgh Becomes the First Royal to Visit Ukraine Since Russia’s Full-Scale Invasion

The Duchess of Edinburgh Sophie became the first member of the Royal Family to visit Ukraine after the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion.

On April 29, the Duchess of Edinburgh, wife of Prince Edward, brother of the British monarch King Charles III, arrived in Ukraine, where she met the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska.

“We greatly appreciate the support of the people of the UK, in particular, we are grateful for sheltering our refugees since the first days of Russia’s full-scale invasion. We are also very grateful for all the military assistance packages from your government and prime ministers. This is extremely important for our military,” Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.

Olena Zelenska expressed gratitude to the guest for fighting against wartime sexual violence, and for her online participation in the International Conference “Restoration of the Rights of Survivors of Conflict-Related Sexual Violence: An Element of Peace & World Security.” The event was held in March in Kyiv with the support of the United Kingdom.

“It was a powerful advocacy event to promote the issue of interim temporary reparations for the victims. Now the first 50 people are undergoing the identification process. After that, they will receive payments. As a result of the project, we expect a significant increase in the number of testimonies and cases that will be documented,” Olena Zelenska noted.

Olena Zelenska invited Sophie on an excursion to the St. Sophia Cathedral. “St. Sophia of Kyiv is a living proof of our ancient statehood and culture, which cannot be taken away, appropriated, or abolished,” the First Lady emphasized.

During her trip to Ukraine, Sophie talked to survivors of sexual violence and torture.

“Women and girls pay the highest price in terms of human costs,” she said, adding: “rape is used to demean, to degrade and to destroy.”

The First Lady has also noted the UK’s participation in the Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children held captive by Russia.