The King has reaffirmed his commitment to supporting Ukraine by welcoming President Volodymyr Zelensky to Windsor Castle. This public display of solidarity marks an important moment ahead of a significant political summit scheduled for later in the day.
In a show of ceremonial grandeur, His Majesty greeted the Ukrainian leader with a formal welcome, a gesture not previously extended to Mr. Zelensky in Britain. This event underscores the monarchy’s backing of Ukraine’s efforts and represents the third meeting between the King and President at a royal residence.
During the visit, President Zelensky was received in the Quadrangle by a Guard of Honour from the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards. The occasion was marked by a Royal Salute, and the band’s rendition of the Ukrainian national anthem added a poignant touch to the proceedings. Accompanied by the King, President Zelensky then inspected the guards.
Following the ceremonial reception, the King invited President Zelensky for a private audience within the castle. This meeting precedes the President’s participation in a ‘Coalition of the Willing’ session with Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, further cementing the political dialogue between the nations.
He received a Royal Salute, and the band played the Ukrainian national anthem in his honour before the President inspected the guards, accompanied by the King.
It is the first time Mr Zelensky has had a ceremonial welcome in Britain – and steps up the monarchy’s support for his cause. It is his third audience with the King at a royal residence.
Mr Zelensky is currently visiting European nations to push political leaders for extra finance and weapons for his efforts to defend his country against Russia.
Today’s ‘Coalition of the Willing’ summit will include Nato secretary general Mark Rutte and Danish prime minister Mette Frederiksen, while French president Emmanuel Macron will join virtually.
Volodymyr Zelensky, King Charles III and Major Ben Tracey inspecting a guard of honour today
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and King Charles III after inspecting a guard of honour
Volodymyr Zelensky, King Charles III and Major Ben Tracey inspecting a guard of honour today
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the King before inspecting a guard of honour
King Charles III and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky take the salute at Windsor
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, King Charles III and Major Ben Tracey today
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and King Charles III after inspecting a guard of honour
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky inspecting a guard of honour at Windsor Castle
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and King Charles III after inspecting a guard of honour
Volodymyr Zelensky, King Charles III and Major Ben Tracey inspecting a guard of honour
King Charles III and Volodymyr Zelensky take the salute before inspecting a guard of honour
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and King Charles III after inspecting a guard of honour
The King’s Company after a guard of honour for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky
King Charles III and Volodymyr Zelensky take the salute before inspecting a guard of honour
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky inspecting a guard of honour at Windsor Castle
The King has been outspoken in his support of Ukraine and Mr Zelensky since the Russian invasion in February 2022.
Within a week, the King had attended an engagement at the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London to meet the ambassador as well as mothers and children in the community, to show his support.
He went on to undertake numerous engagements, including overseas, with Ukrainian refugees and has issued a written message of support on the anniversary of the start of the war each year since.
The men, women and children of Ukraine, he has said, have ‘suffered unimaginably from an unprovoked full-scale attack on their nation’, describing the attack on their lands and homes as ‘brutal aggression’.
The King has spoken in the French, German and Italian parliaments in support of Ukraine.
In September, in a state banquet speech at the US state dinner, he told President Donald Trump: ‘Today, as tyranny once again threatens Europe, we and our allies stand together in support of Ukraine, to deter aggression and secure peace.’
In March, the King hosted Mr Zelensky for tea at Sandringham, shortly after his bruising encounter at the White House.
King Charles III and Volodymyr Zelensky take the salute before inspecting a guard of honour
Volodymyr Zelensky, King Charles III and Major Ben Tracey inspecting a guard of honour
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and the King before inspecting a guard of honour
King Charles III and Volodymyr Zelensky take the salute before inspecting a guard of honour
Volodymyr Zelensky, King Charles III and Major Ben Tracey inspecting a guard of honour
Volodymyr Zelensky, King Charles III and Major Ben Tracey inspecting a guard of honour
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and King Charles III after inspecting a guard of honour
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and King Charles III after inspecting a guard of honour
Volodymyr Zelensky, King Charles III and Major Ben Tracey inspecting a guard of honour
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and King Charles III after inspecting a guard of honour
Volodymyr Zelensky, King Charles III and Major Ben Tracey inspecting a guard of honour
Volodymyr Zelensky, King Charles III and Major Ben Tracey inspecting a guard of honour
Volodymyr Zelensky, the King and Major Ben Tracey before inspecting a guard of honour
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and King Charles III after inspecting a guard of honour
A Guard of Honour at the Windsor Castle Quadrangle today for Volodymyr Zelensky’s visit
A Guard of Honour formed of the 1st Battalion Grenadier Guards at Windsor Castle today
King Charles III and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Windsor Castle on June 23
King Charles III meeting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky at Sandringham on March 2
It was interpreted as a defining show of personal support for the President at arguably the lowest moment of his negotiations with the West.
After the American state visit, President Trump appeared to deliver a U-turn to publicly say that he believed Ukraine could win the war.
Andriy Yermak, Mr Zelensky’s chief of staff, credited the King with persuading him.
Mr Trump has recently applied sanctions to Russian oil giants Rosneft and Lukoil in an effort to push Vladimir Putin to the negotiating table to end the war.
Later today, Sir Keir is expected to press leaders to provide more long-range weapons for further strikes inside Russia, as well as to announce the accelerated provision of 100 additional air defence missiles to Kyiv after a deal finalised in March.
Mr Zelensky has this week also met with Ulf Kristersson, the Swedish prime minister, and travelled to Brussels to meet EU leaders in search of financial support.
