Brave Sophie becomes the first British royal to visit Ukraine since the start of the war: Duchess of Edinburgh meets President Zelensky and the First Lady as she pays respects to victims of Putin’s invasion

The Duchess of Edinburgh has become the first British royal to visit Ukraine since the start of the Russian invasion.

Sophie, 59, met with President Zelensky and his wife – and passed on a personal message from King Charles – as she showed her solitary with survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and torture during her emotional one-day trip.

The mother of-two travelled in her role as champion of the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and the Women, Peace and Security agenda.

It is understood she was ‘keen to show her solidarity with men, women and children affected by the Russian invasion’, and she arrived in the country on the same day at least four people were killed in a Russian missile strike in the Ukrainian port city of Odesa.

The duchess listened as survivors of sexual violence, both male and female, bravely shared their stories, as well as talking to female IDPs – internally displaced persons – and volunteers who help their communities cope with the trauma of the invasion.

The Duchess of Edinburgh (right) poses for a photo with Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska (left) in Saint Sophia Cathedral in what was the first visit to the country by a member of the Royal Family since the Russian invasion

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, was seen smiling as she looked up at the ceiling of Saint Sophia Cathedral alongside Olena Zelenska

The Duchess was shown frescoes as she was given a tour of the UNESCO World Heritage Site on Monday

During her visit Sophie also met with survivors of sexual violence, both male and female, who bravely shared their stories

She also visited the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) where she met victims of the Russian invasion

The Duchess was seen stroking a dog during her visit to the UNFPA office in Kyiv on Monday

Sophie poses for a picture with people at the UNPFPA office, with the Duchess ‘keen to show her solidarity with men, women and children affected by the Russian invasion’

The Duchess speaks to staff at the UNFPA and learns of how they are working to help victims of the Russian invasion

Sophie speaks to people at the UNFPA office in Kyiv. The duchess also talked to female IDPs – internally displaced persons – and volunteers who help their communities cope with the trauma of the invasion

Sophie also signed the guest book at Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv during her whirlwind visit to the city on Monday

She also met with children who have now been safely returned to Ukraine, after being forcibly separated from their families and deported by Russia as part of a sustained campaign to erase Ukrainian culture.

And she paid her respects to those who lost their lives in Bucha, two years on from its liberation from Russian forces, and visited the ‘Road to Life’, a bridge which became a key part of the Ukrainian resistance when it was blown up to stop Russian troops proceeding to Kyiv and later became a vital route for people to flee to safety from the Russian occupation.

It is understood she was particularly keen to show her support for Ukrainian women who have played important roles in the conflict and community recovery and held a meeting with female volunteers who help their communities cope with the aftermath of the attacks with mental health care activities for children.

Meeting with President Zelensky and First Lady Zelenska, Sophie discussed how best to support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence and the women peacebuilders who have a vital part to play in ensuring Ukraine’s recovery and reconstruction is effective and long-lasting.

Speaking at a conference last month, Her Royal Highness said: ‘Survivors here and around the world have spoken out so bravely about their experiences.

‘They are the most powerful advocates who remind us all that we must not turn our backs on the horrors of this crime, we must never forget survivors.

The Duchess looks at a historical model of Kyiv located in Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv during Monday’s visit

Sophie was seen to be enraptured by the ornate decoration in the 6th-century monument, which is known as one of the Seven Wonders of Ukraine

Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, visits Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv on Monday in the first visit by a member of the Royal Family to Ukraine since the Russian invasion

The Duchess looks at the ornate decorations of the cathedral, which is named after the 6th century Hagia Sophia cathedral in Istanbul

A guide shows Sophie a model of the Saint Sophia Cathedral during a tour of the religious complex

The Duchess (left) visited Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv today alongside First Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska (right)

Sophie walks in the shadows of Saint Sophia Cathedral during a visit to Kyiv on Monday in her role as champion of the UK’s Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative and the Women, Peace and Security agenda

Sophie looks at the grave of Yaroslav I the Wise, the founder of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv

‘Rather, we must stand shoulder to shoulder with all survivors to secure justice and holistic redress, and ensure that this crime isn’t an accepted part of conflict.

‘Their rights and their voices must be at the heart of all our efforts to consign conflict-related sexual violence to the history books.’

Since 2022, the UK has pledged over £4.7 billion in non-military support to Ukraine. This includes over £660 million of bilateral assistance that prioritises the needs of women and girls, for example by funding vital services for survivors of Gender Based Violence, as well as working with the Office of the Prosecutor General to put survivors at the centre of approaches to prosecuting conflict-related sexual violence crimes.

The UK is also working with international partners to hold those responsible for atrocities to account.

Buckingham Palace said in a statement: ‘Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Edinburgh is visiting Ukraine at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office, to demonstrate solidarity with the women, men and children impacted by the war and in a continuation of her work to champion survivors of conflict-related sexual violence.

‘Her Royal Highness this morning met the President and First Lady of Ukraine and delivered a message to them on behalf of His Majesty The King.’