Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh becomes first British royal to visit Ukraine since Russia's invasion
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh becomes first British royal to visit Ukraine since Russia’s invasion
Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh has become the first British royal to visit Ukraine since Russia invaded over two years ago.
The 59-year-old royal made a one-day visit to the war-torn nation on Monday (29.04.24) to “show her solidarity” with the men, women and children impacted by the ongoing conflict with Russia.
Sophie met with the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska and also delivered a message on behalf of King Charles.
They discussed how to support survivors of sexual violence related to the war and the female peacebuilders who are working to ensure that Ukraine recovers from the conflict.
She later met survivors of sexual violence and displaced women who are helping the country cope with the trauma of the war by providing mental healthcare activities for children.
The duchess used a speech during her visit to condemn violence against women during times of war.
Sophie said: “It’s true that women and girls pay the highest price in terms of human cost when it comes to the way that they are affected, the way that they can be used as weapons of war.
“Rape is used to demean, to degrade and to destroy, and we have to get better at trying to prevent that from happening.”
She continued: “I’ve been meeting with survivors of sexual violence and the conflict. I thank them for that honesty in telling me what happened to them. Their stories are sad… but I appreciate their time and their openness.”
The British royal family has expressed support for Ukraine since the conflict began in February 2022, with King Charles sending a message to the country on the second anniversary of the war earlier this year.
The 75-year-old monarch wrote: “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.”