Prince Charles accepted a poster from a young Ukrainian girl that said 'Stop Putin' and praised the "extraordinary bravery and fortitude" of the people of Ukraine in the face of "truly terrible aggression" from President Vladimir Putin ’s regime.
The prince and wife Camilla showed their solidarity with the people of Ukraine amid the Russian invasion by visiting the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Central London today.
Cathedral staff reported Ukrainian men have been seeking blessings before travelling back to their homeland to join the fight against Mr Putin’s army.
At the cathedral, the royals chatted with children from the associated Ukrainian school and were handed posters created by the youngsters in the colours of the country's flag.
The heir looked solemn as he was handed a homemade poster by a young schoolgirl which read ‘Stop Putin’ - and told distraught members of its congregation that he could not believe what he was seeing “in this day and age”.
During the visit, Charles also gave an unscripted speech where he praised the bravery of the Ukrainian people amid "truly terrible aggression".
He said: "I must say my wife and I have been deeply moved by everything we have heard today during our visit and above all by the extraordinary bravery, generosity and fortitude of the Ukrainian community in the face of truly terrible aggression.
"Our thoughts and prayers, however inadequate they may be are with all of you at this most critical time."
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The couple also met Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski, as well as the Ukrainian Ambassador, Vadym Prystaiko, who earlier received a rare tribute from MPs, a standing ovation in the House of Commons and his wife, Inna Prystaiko, who was visibly upset during the event.
Camilla was also left in tears when the leading members of the UK’s Ukrainian community sang a mournful version of the song Chervona Kalyna, Red Guelder Rose.
The men, women and children performed the song famously sung by Ukrainian insurgents during the Second World War which evokes images of the Ukrainian homeland.
She also hugged the sobbing wife of the Ukrainian ambassador telling her: “We are praying for you.” Charles told reporters: “What does one say?”
Charles and Camilla also lit a candle, placed sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine, at the altar and received a traditional offering of bread and salt. Bread is a symbol of what gives us life and salt what sustains life.
Also at the cathedral were volunteers helping the humanitarian effort and supporting the relief effort in Ukraine and others who have family and loved ones in the country and are working to support their community.
It is understood the heir to the throne had approached the Ukrainian community offering his help and he brought representatives from five humanitarian organisations he is connected with to offer practical support.
A source said: “He has been deeply moved and just wanted to do something to help. He wanted to listen to people to find out what they need and how he can help facilitate that.”
The visit to the cathedral comes a day after Charles spoke out about Russia's “brutal” invasion of Ukraine.
Speaking at a ceremony to mark Southend becoming a city, the prince paid tribute to murdered local MP Sir David Amess saying: “What we saw in the terrible tragedy in Southend was an attack on democracy on open society, on freedom itself.
“We are seeing those same values under attack today in Ukraine in the most unconscionable way.
“In the stand we take here, we are in solidarity with all those who are resisting brutal aggression."
Meanwhile, yesterday the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge were thanked by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky for their support amid the Russian invasion.
On Saturday, William and Kate issued a rare, personal message saying they stood with the people of Ukraine as the Russian invasion of the country continues.
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."
And yesterday, President Zelensky took to Twitter to say he and his wife Olena Zelenska were grateful for their support.
He wrote: "Olena and I are grateful to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge that, at this crucial time, when Ukraine is courageously opposing Russia ’s invasion, they stand by our country and support our brave citizens. Good will triumph.”
Last week, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also put out a statement saying they "stand with the people of Ukraine".
The message, shared on their Archewell website, reads : "Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and all of us at Archewell stand with the people of Ukraine against this breach of international and humanitarian law and encourage the global community and its leaders to do the same."
