Pictured: Kate and Will fly flag for Ukraine as they show solidarity with volunteers

9 March 2022, 16:38 | Updated: 9 March 2022, 17:27

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have visited the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have visited the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London. Picture: Getty/Alamy

By Sophie Barnett

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have shown solidarity with Ukraine as they donned blue and yellow badges on a visit to the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in west London.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Kate looked radiant in a bright blue jumper and a pin of Ukraine's flag as she arrived hand-in-hand with William, who was also dressed to show his support.

The royals even turned up with homemade chocolate brownies and granola bars from Kensington Palace for the volunteers, in a touching show of support.

Kate and William visit Ukrainian Cultural Centre

During their visit, they learnt about the extraordinary efforts being made to support Ukrainians in the UK and across Europe.

They met the Ukrainian community and also spoke with Saleh Saeed, chief executive of the Disasters Emergency Committee, about DEC's humanitarian appeal, which has so far raised more than £120 million.

Read more: Children buried under rubble as Russian air strike hits maternity hospital

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arriving at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London to learn about the extraordinary efforts being made to support Ukrainians in the UK and across Europe.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arriving at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London to learn about the extraordinary efforts being made to support Ukrainians in the UK and across Europe. Picture: Alamy

William and Kate heard about the services offered at the social club, and were shown boxes of donations collected to help those in need.

They also heard how there had been specific requests for medicines for hospitals in Ukraine, as they were shown the large amount of pharmaceutical goods amassed in the centre.

At least two million people have already fled their homes to escape the conflict, with four million expected to be displaced as the Russian invasion continues.

Last week, the Queen gave a "generous donation" to DEC, with Prince Charles and the Duke of Cambridge also giving support.

The DEC, a group of 15 UK charities, showed their appreciation for the Queen's donation in a post on their social media account.

The group launched its appeal on Thursday to provide emergency relief to the victims of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

Read more: Russian troops face freezing to death in their tanks as -20C weather grips Ukraine

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arriving at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London to learn about the extraordinary efforts being made to support Ukrainians in the UK and across Europe.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge arriving at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London to learn about the extraordinary efforts being made to support Ukrainians in the UK and across Europe. Picture: Alamy

In the post, they thanked The Queen for her continued "support", and went on to thank her for a "generous donation" to the appeal.

The palace has declined to comment the amount of the donation.

The royals previously issued a message of support for Ukraine, saying they stand with the Ukrainian people as they bravely fight the Russian aggression.

Read more: Climber dies and two taken to hospital after 17 people rescued from Ben Nevis

The Duchess of Cambridge arriving at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London to learn about the extraordinary efforts being made to support Ukrainians in the UK and across Europe.
The Duchess of Cambridge arriving at the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London to learn about the extraordinary efforts being made to support Ukrainians in the UK and across Europe. Picture: Alamy

Kate and William recalled meeting Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in their message of support.

In a personal tweet signed by the royal couple, 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."

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meeting the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and his wife, Olena, during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London, in 2020.
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge meeting the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and his wife, Olena, during an audience at Buckingham Palace, London, in 2020. Picture: Alamy

In response, President Zelenskyy tweeted: “Olena and I are grateful to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge @RoyalFamily 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.”

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

A man walks past empty shelves in a branch of the Co-op in Manchester following the major cyber attack.

Major UK supermarket offering 25% off £40 shops in ‘thank you’ to members after cyber attack

Cyclists are sending a record amount of video footage to police after being overtaken too closely by motorists, new figures show.

Cyclists sending record number of videos to police after being overtaken too closely by drivers, figures show

Exclusive
Suspended chief constable Nick Adderley

Disgraced police chief Nick Adderley slammed for ‘unacceptable’ role in Harry Dunn case

Grenfell tower cover in white tarpaulin

Government pressed over why Grenfell cladding ‘crooks’ not behind bars

Donald Trump is said to be considering joining Israel in striking Iran

Trump 'considering US strike on Iran' - hours after claiming to know supreme leader's location

The biggest lottery prize the UK has seen could still be won after Tuesday’s EuroMillions draw had no winners.

EuroMillions record £208 million jackpot won by single ticket holder

Referee David Coote has been sacked.

Sacked Premier League referee David Coote charged by FA over ‘German c***’ Jurgen Klopp comments

Exclusive
Relatives of the Palestinians killed in Israeli attack, mourn as they carry the bodies to Nasser hospital for funeral procedures in Khan Yunis

Israeli Ambassador denies IDF is 'targeting civilians' as medics say 59 Palestinians killed by IDF at aid distribution centre

The man given a restraining order for stalking British number one Emma Raducanu has been caught trying to obtain tickets for this summer’s Wimbledon.

Emma Raducanu stalker caught trying to obtain Wimbledon tickets after tennis star was left 'shaken' by 'fixated' man

Eight-month-old Mabli had just said a final goodbye to her paternal grandmother Betty Hall, who was receiving end-of-life care at the Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest.

Driver who ran over and killed eight-month-old baby in pram has sentence cut

Exclusive
UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador confirms

UK 'not going to be involved' in 'protecting' Israel during Iran conflict, Israeli ambassador tells LBC

Abortion rights actvists gather outside the parliament in support of decriminalisation.

MPs vote to decriminalise abortion in England and Wales in historic Commons vote

New York City Comptroller Brad Lander is placed under arrest by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and FBI agents outside federal immigration court on Tuesday, June 17, 2025, in New York.

New York mayoral candidate Brad Lander arrested and detained by ICE amid Donald Trump's immigration crackdown

Trump not planning to attack Iran, Starmer insists as US President says he won't kill Supreme Leader 'for now'

Trump 'not planning to attack Iran', Starmer insists as US President says he won't kill Supreme Leader 'for now'

Dame Katherine Grainger

Olympic gold medallist Katherine Grainger and former Cabinet Secretary Simon Case given peerages

Matheus Cunha signs his Manchester United contract

When does the summer 2025 transfer window open and close?