Princess Anne has placed a toy bear as a poignant tribute at a children’s memorial in Ukraine, during an unexpected visit to the war-ravaged country where she also met Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The King’s sister travelled to the capital Kyiv on Tuesday, at the request of the Foreign Office, in a show of solidarity with children and families facing the horrors of the Russian invasion. The Princess Royal met Mr Zelenskyy to discuss the UK’s support for Ukraine and its ongoing resistance.
Anne’s secret visit, which was not publicised beforehand for security reasons, came just two days after a Russian aerial bombardment killed at least four people in Kyiv, including a 12-year-old girl, and injured at least 70 others. The attack, which lasted more than 12 hours, was one of the heaviest in recent months. The purpose of her trip was to highlight the traumatic experiences of children living on the frontline, Buckingham Palace said. Joining First Lady Olena Zelenska at the children’s memorial, Anne left the teddy in tribute to youngsters killed in the conflict, saying her daughter Zara Tindall had the same bear. As the 75-year-old princess stepped back after placing the traditional-looking teddy at the base of the memorial alongside scores of other cuddly toys, she told Mrs Zelenska: «That was one that my daughter had.» Mrs Zelenska also left a bear in tribute.
The site commemorates more than 650 children who have died since the start of the conflict in 2022. In Kyiv, she also met female police and armed forces representatives and heard about their key role protecting women and children. Visiting the Child Rights Protection Centre, she spoke to families and children who have been returned and reintegrated, and met some of those working to return more Ukrainian children. Read more: Putin issues defiant message over Ukraine, Moldova’s pro-EU party wins elections against Russia-leaning rivals.
More than 19,500 Ukrainian children have been forcibly transferred or deported by the Russian authorities to Russia and the occupied territories of Ukraine. Princess Anne is the second working royal to visit Ukraine. In April last year, the Duchess of Edinburgh was the first to go and bring a letter of support from the King. Anne’s trip also follows that of her nephew Prince Harry, who made a surprise visit to the Ukrainian capital just over two weeks ago with a team from his Invictus Games Foundation. Anne also visited a rehabilitation centre, where she met Ukrainian veterans returning from the frontline.
The King has met Mr Zelenskyy a number of times and marked the country’s independence day in August by sending a message of solidarity. During Donald Trump’s recent state visit to the UK, Charles also took the opportunity to stress the importance of supporting Ukraine. He told the US president in his banquet speech: «Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine, to deter aggression and secure peace.»
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