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Evening Standard
Evening Standard
World
Robert Jobson

Queen meets Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska at Clarence House

The Queen has held an audience with the First Lady of Ukraine at Clarence House.

Camilla welcomed the wife of the Ukrainian president to her London residence on Thursday morning.

Their meeting held in the Garden Room lasting for approximately 30 minutes. 

The King is currently in London but did not meet with Ms Zelenska.

The Palace confirmed that Ms Zelenska thanked Queen Camilla for The King’s recent message of support to Ukraine on the second anniversary of the conflict – and how much it had meant to her nation. 

First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska arrives at Clarence House (AP)

The Palace said The Queen shared how the UK is thinking of Ukraine as they mark this sad milestone.

They also discussed the bravery and resilience of Ukrainians and the UK’s determination to support the nation.

Camilla thanked Ms Zelenska for her presence at the late Queen’s funeral and at Charles’s coronation.

They are also understood to have spoken of the impact of the war on women and children, the mental and physical scars it has left, and how the UK can assist in caring for them.

Camilla has been praised for stepping up in the King’s absence, and while the Princess of Wales is recovering from abdominal surgery.

She led the royal family at the memorial service for King Constantine of Greece earlier this week, with the Prince of Wales also absent at the last minute due to an unexplained personal matter.

Camilla’s meeting with Ms Zelenska took place on the advice of Foreign Office.

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