Duchess of Edinburgh Breaks Royal Protocol with Historic Visit to Ukraine

The Duchess of Edinburgh, Sophie, has made history by becoming the first member of the royal family to visit Ukraine since the Russian invasion more than two years ago.

During her visit, Sophie met with Volodomyr Zelensky and Olena Zelenska, the President and First Lady of Ukraine, delivering a personal message from the King.

She also spent time with survivors of sexual violence, displaced women, and volunteers supporting communities affected by the war.

One of her significant stops was in Bucha, a town near Kyiv where atrocities were committed by Russian troops.

Another poignant location she visited was the Romanivka bridge, symbolizing Ukrainian resistance and freedom.

Her visit marked a milestone in royal support for Ukraine, setting a new precedent in showing solidarity with the country.

In parallel, King Charles and Queen Camilla are expected to make a joint visit to a cancer treatment center, their first public engagement in months.

The Duchess’s visit was part of her dedicated efforts on sexual violence, aligned with the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and the Women, Peace, and Security Agenda.

Sophie’s commitment to this cause dates back to her announcement on International Women’s Day in 2019, and she has visited multiple conflict-affected countries in support of survivors.