The Duchess of Edinburgh has become the first member of the Royal Family to visit Ukraine since the Russian invasion.

On Monday she went on a one-day visit, on behalf of the Foreign Office, to “demonstrate solidarity with the women, men and children impacted by the war”.

The duchess paid her respects to those who had lost their lives in the town of Bucha during the Russian occupation.

There was also a meeting with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky.

The Royal Family has been unusually outspoken in its support of Ukraine, with King Charles marking the second anniversary of the invasion in February by warning of the “indescribable aggression” and the “unprovoked attack” by Russia.

On his state visits to France and Germany the King had spoken of the importance of supporting Ukraine – and the sympathies of his late mother, Queen Elizabeth II, had been suggested when she appeared beside a big bowl of flowers in Ukrainian national colours.

But up to now none of the royals had come to Ukraine during the war, until this surprise visit by Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, who is married to Prince Edward, the King’s youngest brother.

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