Anne Makes First Royal Kyiv Visit in 34 Years

Princess Anne made a secret, government-requested visit to Kyiv on Sept. 30 to show solidarity with children and families affected by Russia’s 2022 invasion, marking the first British royal visit to Ukraine in nearly 34 years. She met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and First Lady Olena Zelenska to discuss UK support, the return of children taken by Russian forces, and Britain’s ongoing assistance; Zelenskyy invited her to the next summit of the International Coalition for the Return of Ukrainian Children. For security reasons the trip was not publicized; Anne laid a teddy bear at the Children’s Memorial — saying it belonged to her daughter Zara Tindall — in tribute to more than 650 children killed since 2022. She visited a rehabilitation centre and the Child Rights Protection Centre and met displaced and returned children, as well as female police, military personnel and veterans. Buckingham Palace and reports say more than 19,500 Ukrainian children have been transferred or deported by Russian authorities.