Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, visited Kyiv, Ukraine, marking the first visit by a UK royal family member since the Russian invasion began. During her trip, she met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska. The visit, organized by the Foreign Office, aimed to support and raise awareness for survivors of conflict-related sexual violence, a cause Sophie has been actively involved in through the Preventing Sexual Violence in Conflict Initiative.

In Kyiv, Sophie engaged with survivors of sexual violence and torture and spoke with children who had been forcibly separated from their families and deported by Russian authorities. Her agenda included discussions on how to provide support to these survivors, focusing on justice and holistic recovery.

Additionally, the Duchess paid her respects at Bucha, a site where Russian soldiers are alleged to have committed war crimes. She visited symbolic locations like the “Road to Life” bridge, which stands as a testament to Ukrainian resistance. As part of the visit, the UK reaffirmed its commitment to aid Ukraine, particularly focusing on the needs of women and girls affected by the conflict.