The Queen met Ukrainian first lady Olena Zelenska at Clarence House, just days after the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Camilla, 76, was photographed placing her arm behind the back of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s wife as he guided her down a hallway before their meeting on Thursday morning.
The couple, who previously met in November 2022 at a reception at Buckingham Palace to raise awareness about violence against women, were photographed chatting while sitting in the Garden Room of the royal residence in London.
King Charles, who is receiving cancer treatment, remains in London but did not meet the first lady on Thursday.
Zelenska thanked the Queen for the King’s message of support for 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 was photographed placing her arm behind Zelenska’s back as she guided her down a hallway before their meeting.
Camilla spoke about how Britain was thinking about Ukraine when it marked this sad milestone. They also discussed the bravery and resilience of Ukrainians and the UK’s determination to support the nation.
They are also understood to have spoken about the impact of war on women and children, the physical and mental scars it has left and how the UK can help care for them.
Zelenska was invited to the coronation of the King and Queen last May, representing her war-torn nation with her prime minister Denys Shmyhal.
She also attended the late Queen’s funeral and Camilla thanked Zelenska for her presence at both services.
Camilla has been dubbed the “savior” of the monarchy and praised for keeping “the show on the road” in the King’s absence, and while the Princess of Wales recovers from abdominal surgery.
She led the royal family at the memorial service for King Constantine of Greece earlier this week, and the Prince of Wales was also absent at the last minute due to an unexplained personal matter.
Camilla’s meeting with Zelenska was held on the advice of the Foreign Ministry and lasted about 30 minutes, Palacio 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 the Russian invasion.
Camilla received the wife of the Ukrainian president at her London residence on Thursday morning.
They were photographed chatting while sitting in the Garden Room, and their meeting came just days after the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Charles, 75, said he is “very encouraged” by the efforts of the UK and its allies to support Ukraine “at this time of so much 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 their livelihoods enters a third, tragic year.
‘Despite the tremendous hardship and pain inflicted on them, Ukrainians continue to display the heroism with which the world so closely associates them.
‘His is true courage, in the face of indescribable aggression. I have felt it firsthand 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 UK.
“I continue to be very encouraged that the UK and our allies continue to be at the forefront of international efforts to support Ukraine at this time of so much suffering and need.
The King (pictured with the Queen) praised the “determination and strength” of the Ukrainian people in a message to mark the second anniversary of the Russian invasion.
The King (pictured meeting President Zelensky) has met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky several times, including during his visit to the UK in February last year.
The King said: “The determination and strength of the Ukrainian people continues to inspire, as the unprovoked attack on their land, their lives and their livelihoods enters a third tragic year.”
“My heart goes out to all those affected as I remember them in my thoughts and prayers.”
The King has undertaken numerous UK engagements related to Ukraine since the war began, including a visit to a training center 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.
Earlier this month it was announced that Charles had been diagnosed with a form of cancer, discovered while he was being treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate.
He began a program of regular treatments, but postponed all his public duties and spent much of his time at the royal residence at Sandringham, Norfolk.