The Duchess of Edinburgh became the first member of the British Royal Family to visit Ukraine since the Russian invasion in 2022, traveling to the country on Monday for a day of engagements.
Sophie met with embattled President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska during a visit requested by the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office.
In a press release from Buckingham Palace, Sophie’s visit was billed as a way to “demonstrate solidarity with the women, men and children impacted by the war and in a continuation of her work to champion survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.”
Sophie carried a message from King Charles during her meeting with President Zelensky and First Lady Zelenska.
According to the Royal Family X account, Sophie visited a United Nations Relief Centre in Kyiv to see firsthand how the UN’s Population Fund supports survivors of conflict-related sexual violence in 12 cities across Ukraine. The Centre provides psychosocial and legal support to survivors.
There, Sophie met with volunteers to see how they help with mental healthcare for those affected by conflict-related sexual violence.
Sophie also paid a visit to the Romanivka Bridge, which has become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance during the conflict. It was blown up to prevent Russian troops from getting into Kyiv and also acts as one of the main routes for those fleeing Russian occupation.
The royal paid her respects in the town of Bucha, outside Kyiv, to those who have lost their lives in the ongoing occupation.
At an evening reception at the United Kingdom’s Ambassador’s residence, Sophie gave a speech about the human cost of conflict-related sexual violence, saying: “Women and girls pay the highest price in terms of human costs.”
Sophie also spoke of the resilience of the Ukrainian people, saying that she’s met “so many wonderful Ukrainians” back in the UK, and noting that “the hearts of every Ukrainian that I’ve met in the United Kingdom, their hearts remain here. They would like to return home one day, and God willing, that will happen.”