By Ben Kerrigan-
Queen Camilla has met Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska at Clarence House, just days after the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Camilla, 76, the wife of King Charles III, led the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky along a hallway ahead of their meeting on Thursday morning, as the pair chatted comfortably, the queen placing her hand behind the back of Lady Olena.
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The pair then spent time at he Garden Room at the London Royal residence. They have previously met in November 2022 at a Buckingham reception to raise awareness of violence against women
Ms Zelenska thanked the Queen for the King’s message of support to Ukraine on the second anniversary of the conflict – and said how much it had meant to her nation.
The Queen met Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska at Clarence House on Thursday (pictured)
Camilla said Britain was thinking of Ukraine as it marked the sad milestone. They also discussed the bravery and resilience of Ukrainians and the UK’s determination to support the nation.
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They also spoke of the impact of the war on women and children, the mental and physical scars it has left, and how the UK can assist in caring for them.
Ms Zelenska was a guest at the King and Queen’s coronation last May, representing her war-torn nation with its prime minister Denys Shmyhal and also attended the late Queen’s funeral and Camilla thanked Ms Zelenska for her presence at both services.
King Charles III is still receiving treatment for cancer, and his first son, the Princess of Wales is recovering from abdominal surgery
Camilla’s meeting with Ms Zelenska took place on the advice of Foreign Office and lasted around 30 minutes, the Palace said.
Thursday’s meeting comes after the King praised the ‘determination and strength’ of the Ukrainian people in a message marking the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion.
Camilla welcomed the wife of the Ukrainian president to her London residence on Thursday morning
Charles, 75, said he is ‘greatly encouraged’ by the efforts of the UK and its allies in supporting Ukraine ‘at this time of such great suffering and need’.
He said: ‘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.
‘Despite the tremendous hardship and pain inflicted upon them, Ukrainians continue to show the heroism with which the world associates them so closely.
‘Theirs is true valour, in the face of indescribable aggression. I have felt this personally in the many meetings I have had with Ukrainians since the start of the war, from President Zelensky and Mrs Zelenska, to new army recruits training here in the United Kingdom.
‘I continue to be greatly encouraged that the United Kingdom and our allies remain at the forefront of international efforts to support Ukraine at this time of such great suffering and need.
The King said: ‘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’
‘My heart goes out to all those affected, as I remember them in my thoughts and prayers.’
Britain is a close ally of Ukraine, and has lent much support in supplying it with sophisticated weapons ever since its invasion by Russia.
The King has undertaken many engagements in the UK linked to Ukraine since the war began, including visiting a training site for military recruits in Wiltshire.
He has met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky several times, including during his visit to the UK in February last year.
He has started a schedule of regular treatments but postponed all public-facing duties, spending much of his time at the royal residence in Sandringham, Norfolk.
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