The Princess Royal made a surprise visit to Ukraine on Tuesday to highlight the traumatic experiences of children living on the frontline of the conflict, Buckingham Palace has stated.
Princess Anne left a toy bear at a memorial for children killed since Russia's full-scale invasion and spoke with young victims who have allegedly been taken from their homes by Russian forces.
She also discussed the UK's support for Ukraine and its enduring resistance with President Volodymyr Zelensky during her official visit, which was arranged at the request of the Foreign Office.
This visit comes shortly after her nephew, Prince Harry, met with war-wounded veterans in Kyiv.
During her journey, Anne, the sister of King Charles III, paid her respects at the Children's Memorial alongside First Lady Olena Zelenska, who established the site in Kharkiv.
Additionally, the princess visited the Child Rights Protection Centre aimed at aiding children impacted by the war, where she conversed with youth reunited with their families and praised staff dedicated to assisting more children in need.
Current estimates suggest that at least 19,500 Ukrainian children have been unlawfully deported or forcibly displaced to Russia and Russian-occupied territories since February 2022, with only 1,605 safely returned home, as per the government’s Children of War database.
The International Criminal Court has issued arrest warrants for Russian President Vladimir Putin and children's rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova for their alleged involvement in the unlawful deportation of children, a claim that Russia disputes, arguing it has relocated children for their safety.
This visit also follows the UK government’s announcement of new sanctions aimed at individuals supporting efforts to forcibly deport Ukrainian children.
Princess Anne further met female officers from the police and armed forces committed to the protection of women and children, spoke to injured veterans in a rehabilitation centre, and visited landmarks such as St. Sophia's Cathedral in Kyiv.
She also explored the Kherson Cultural Exhibition, highlighting the resilience of the southern city, which was recaptured by Ukrainian forces in November 2022. This is the second royal visit to Ukraine in less than a month, following the trip by the Duke of Sussex.
Other royal family members, including King Charles and the Prince of Wales, have also shown solidarity with Ukraine, emphasizing their support in the face of ongoing aggression.
