Britain’s Prince William and his wife, Kate, visited a group of Ukrainians in London on Wednesday to show their support for and express solidarity with the diaspora while war wages in their homeland.
The couple met people at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in Holland Park hours after the UK government announced it was stepping up its aid to the former Soviet nation.
The Duchess of Cambridge wore a badge in the blue and yellow colours of the Ukraine flag, with a white heart on it.
She also wore knitted jumper similar to the blue of the Ukrainian flag. William wore the same badge.
Kate also took along trays of brownies she had baked and granola bars to give to volunteers at the centre.
They offered assistance from their charitable foundation for children and young people suffering mental health problems and trauma from the war.
The couple said their eldest children, Prince George, 8, and Princess Charlotte, 6, had been affected by the unfolding tragedy.
"Ours have been coming home asking all about it," William said. "They are obviously talking about it with their friends at school."
He said he found it difficult discussing some of it with his children, and that he had to "choose my words carefully to explain what is going on".
The pair met members of the Ukrainian community and volunteers, and spoke with Saleh Saeed, chief executive of the Disasters Emergency Committee, about the DEC’s humanitarian appeal.
They heard about the services offered at the social club and were shown boxes of donations collected to help those in need.
The couple have been outspoken in their support for Ukraine since Russia invaded on February 24.
Within days of Russian President Vladimir Putin launching his attack, the couple released a message expressing their solidarity with Ukrainians and support for the country’s leader.
In a personal tweet from the couple, Prince William and his wife recalled their meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, Olena Zelenska, during their visit to Buckingham Palace.
“In October 2020, we had the privilege to meet President Zelenskyy and the first lady to learn of their hope and optimism for Ukraine's future,” the couple wrote.
“Today, we stand with the president and all of Ukraine's people as they bravely fight for that future.”
Mr Zelenskyy thanked the royal couple for voicing their support.
Prince William and Kate visited hours after Britain’s Defence Secretary, Ben Wallace, announced the UK was increasing its funding for Ukraine to £220 million ($290m), which includes £120m of humanitarian aid.
Mr Wallace said officials were also considering sending more sophisticated weapons to help Ukrainians defend their land against Russian aggression.
Earlier on Wednesday, Vadym Prystaiko, the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK, said the embassy in London had been contacted by countless British citizens wanting to travel to Ukraine to help.
Mr Prystaiko recommended that people refrain from heading to the war zone as it may put extra strain on Ukrainian armed forces to offer them protection.
But he said that well-intentioned people could not be stopped from going if they were determined to help.
“We are not encouraging people to go but at the same time I can’t stop most of them to go there,” Mr Prystaiko told the House of Commons home affairs committee.
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