The Princess Royal meets President Zelensky, honours child victims, and highlights UK support for Ukraine’s war effort
Princess Anne made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Tuesday to draw attention to the traumatic experiences of children living on the frontline of the Russia-Ukraine war, Buckingham Palace confirmed.
During her visit, the Princess Royal laid a toy bear at a memorial in Kharkiv dedicated to children killed since Russia’s full-scale invasion. She also met with children who were allegedly taken from their homes by Russian forces and later reunited with their families.
Anne held talks with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, discussing both the UK’s ongoing support and Ukraine’s continued resistance. The trip was carried out at the request of the UK Foreign Office, following Prince Harry’s visit to Kyiv just weeks earlier.
Meeting Families and Highlighting Child Deportations
Accompanied by First Lady Olena Zelenska, Anne toured the Child Rights Protection Centre, where she spoke with staff working to bring back thousands of children displaced or deported to Russia and Russian-occupied territories.
According to Ukraine’s Children of War database, an estimated 19,500 children have been deported since February 2022. Only 1,605 have returned so far.
In 2023, the International Criminal Court (ICC) issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Children’s Rights Commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova, accusing them of the unlawful deportation of Ukrainian children. Russia denies the charges, claiming it relocated children for their safety.
Anne’s visit came shortly after the UK imposed new sanctions targeting individuals accused of aiding these deportations and attempts to indoctrinate Ukrainian children.
Honouring Resilience and Cultural Strength
The Princess also met with female police and armed forces officers working to protect women and children, visited a rehabilitation centre for war-wounded veterans and trauma victims, and toured St Sophia’s Cathedral in Kyiv.
At the Kherson Cultural Exhibition, Anne learned about the southern city recaptured by Ukrainian forces in 2022, which the Palace described as “a symbol of Ukraine’s strength, resistance and struggle.”
This marks the second Royal visit to Ukraine in less than a month. Prince Harry visited in September, while King Charles has also voiced support for Ukraine, recently telling world leaders: “As tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine, to deter aggression and secure peace.”