The Princess Royal visited Kyiv, honoring war victims and supporting Ukraine’s child reunification efforts amid ongoing conflict.

The Princess Royal made a surprise visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, amid ongoing war, arriving days after a deadly Russian airstrike. She paid tribute to over 650 children killed since 2022 by placing a teddy bear—similar to one owned by her daughter—on a memorial, joining First Lady Olena Zelenska in a quiet, emotional gesture. She met with President Volodymyr Zelensky, toured child rights centers, a veteran rehabilitation facility, and St. Sophia’s Cathedral, a UNESCO-listed site at risk. Anne learned about efforts to reunite displaced children, many of whom have been forcibly transferred to Russia—over 19,500 since the war began—and emphasized the UK’s continued support. The trip, kept secret for security, underscored international solidarity with Ukraine’s humanitarian crisis.