The Cambridges express solidarity with Ukraine
THE Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have expressed their solidarity with the people of Ukraine.
William and Catherine tweeted their support for Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy and “all of Ukraine’s people” in a tweet personally signed off with their initials.
The couple included the flag of Ukraine in their tweet, which was retweeted by Prime Minister Boris Johnson.
They wrote: “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.
“Today we stand with the President and all of Ukraine’s people as they bravely fight for that future W & C.”
In October 2020, William and Catherine welcomed Mr Zelenskyy and his wife Olena to Buckingham Palace for an audience on behalf of the Queen.
The royal pair met the president and his wife, who were on a two-day visit, in the palace’s Throne Room.
Royal biographer Hugo Vickers yesterday said he would describe the tweet as “more humanitarian than political”, referencing the fact that the royal family typically stay out of politics, adding: “I am sure it will be welcomed by the British public.”
On Thursday, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex also expressed their support for Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin was welcomed to the UK in 2003 for a state visit – the first state visit by a Russian leader since the days of the Tsars when Russia’s
Alexander II came to Britain in 1874.
Then it was a family affair as the Tsars were related to the British royals.
Putin was given the full red carpet treatment as he arrived with his wife at Heathrow airport, with a guard of honour from the RAF lining the stretch of red carpet leading from his aircraft to the airport’s exclusive Royal Suite.
On his four-day visit, the Russian leader visited Edinburgh as well as London and held talks with the thenprime minister Tony Blair at 10 Downing Street.
He was given a full ceremonial welcome in London at Horse Guards, attended by the Queen, the Duke of Edinburgh, and the Prime Minister.
He was at a state banquet at Buckingham Palace hosted by the royal family and he also hosted a banquet for the Queen at Spencer House in St James’s.
During the trip, the Prince of Wales and Putin were pictured by media looking happy, relaxed and smiling at each other as if sharing a joke. Charles visited Russia only a month later in July 2003 during a three-day visit to St Petersburg aimed at strengthening relations between Russia and Britain.
In 2014, Charles sparked a diplomatic crisis with Russia when he likened Putin’s actions to some of those of the Nazis while speaking to a former Polish war refugee during a royal tour to Canada.
Clarence House said at the time they wanted to “stress that the Prince of Wales would not seek to make a public political statement during a private conversation”.
Reaction in the UK to the prince’s remarks was, however, generally supportive.
Then-prime minister David Cameron said he would not comment on a private conversation but added that “everyone is entitled to their private opinions”.
His deputy at the time, Nick Clegg, also said Prince Charles was “free to express himself” and Labour leader Ed Miliband said the prince “has got a point”.