Prince Edward's wife visits Ukraine... First royal family member to do so

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh and sister-in-law of King Charles III of the United Kingdom, visited Ukraine. This is the first time a member of the British royal family has visited Ukraine since the war began following Russia's invasion.

Sophie, Duchess of Edinburgh (right), wife of Prince Edward, Duke of Edinburgh, brother of King Charles III of the United Kingdom, visited Ukraine on the 29th (local time) and took a photo with Olena Zelenska. [Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

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According to Buckingham Palace on the 29th (local time), Sophie, the wife of Prince Edward, Earl of Edinburgh and brother of Charles III, met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and his wife Olena Zelenska in Ukraine that morning to deliver a message from Charles III and discuss support for victims of sexual violence during the war.

The Duchess of Edinburgh paid tribute to the victims in Bucha, a region initially occupied by Russia during its invasion of Ukraine, and comforted victims of sexual violence and torture, as well as children who were taken to Russia and have since returned to their families. She also visited the "Bridge of Life," which was blown up to stop the Russian advance and has become a symbol of Ukrainian resistance.

[Image source=AFP Yonhap News]

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This visit was made at the request of the UK Foreign Office. Buckingham Palace explained, "The purpose is to show solidarity with those affected by the war in Ukraine and to express support for victims of sexual violence during war and conflict." BBC reported, "This surprise visit demonstrates the British royal family's support for Ukraine." Earlier, in February of this year, marking two years since the outbreak of the war, Charles III issued a statement praising the courage of the Ukrainian people resisting the invasion.

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