Yesterday, Prince Charles paid tribute to the “extraordinary courage and strength of spirit” of the Ukrainian people in the face of “such truly terrible aggression.”
When visiting the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in the center London with his wife, Camilla, the future king accepts home posters from children, including “Stop Putin.”
He told deranged members of the flock that he could not believe what he saw “today.” He even shouted a rally: “Glory to Ukraine!” (“Glory to Ukraine!”), To which the gathered guests responded with passionate “Glory to the Heroes” (“Glory to the Heroes!”).
For the prince – who was at the center of a diplomatic dispute in 2014, when he likened him Vladimir Putin of Hitler in his position on Ukraine – this was the instinctive reaction of a man disgusted by Russia’s naked imperialism and unnecessary civil bloodshed.
In conversations with his staff over the weekend, Charles expressed his desperate and heartfelt desire to do something practical to help.
Yesterday, he was accompanied not only by Camilla, but also by representatives of five charities he patronized, which he brought together to help coordinate efforts to help UK-based Ukrainians.
The couple spent more than an hour comforting the needy, with the Duchess of Cornwall often crying as she spoke to members of the community who were desperately worried about family and friends at home.
Prince Charles (pictured) paid tribute yesterday to the “extraordinary courage and strength of spirit” of the Ukrainian people
Several times she hugged the sobbing wife of the Ukrainian ambassador, telling her, “We pray for you.”
A source said: ‘[Charles] he was deeply moved and just wanted to do something to help. He wanted to listen to people to find out what they needed and how he could help make it easier.
The couple was welcomed in the Holy Family Cathedral by Bishop Kenneth Novakowski, Ambassador Vadim Pristaiko and his wife Inna.
A member of the congregation greeted them with the words “vitayemo” (welcome) and offered them bread and salt, often given to high-ranking officials. Bread is a symbol of what gives us life, and salt is what sustains it.
Representatives of the Ukrainian community in the United Kingdom had gathered in the back room, and Sunday school children sang a sad traditional song, Red Viburnum (often translated as Red Viburnum), about their passion for the country and what it means to fight. for Ukraine.
Camilla, biting her lip repeatedly, could not hide her tears.
The royal couple then moved around the room, talking to as many people as possible.
During a visit to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in central London with his wife Camilla, the future king accepted home-made posters from children, including one with the words “Stop Putin”
Sunday school teacher Lesya Klovak spoke at length with the prince, saying he had openly expressed his horror at the Russian invasion.
She said: “He asked about the song and what it meant. He described the war as terrible and said he could not believe it was happening in this period, nowadays. He also asked about my family and I told him that my father was 72 and supplied food for the people. He and my mother refuse to run away. He says he will deliver for as long as he can. My mother runs a restaurant and has given it to families who have lost their homes.
She added: “He [Charles] he said no one could understand what was happening. He expressed his sympathy. He said he could not believe it. He said he was with us, supported us and we were together.
The couple spent more than an hour comforting the needy, and the Duchess of Cornwall often cried as she spoke to members of the community who were desperately worried about family and friends at home.
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Vira Vitiv, speaking to the Duchess, said: “She expressed her shock and sympathy. She feels the same level of helplessness that many feel and just wants to hear what she can do to help. This listening was so important. That meant a lot.
Charles also spoke to children from the cathedral’s Sunday school who sat on the stage. Each child in the front row held a home-made poster with the Ukrainian flag and messages such as “Save Ukraine,” “No War Needed,” “Putin Goes Away,” “Stop Putin,” and “Stop the War.” He either accepted them personally or they were given to him – in the case of the Stop Putin poster – by their teacher. They were then given to assistants.
Camilla stopped several times to talk to the wife of the Ukrainian ambassador, who could not hide her emotion. Each time she hugged her and rubbed her hands.
The hall was full of leaders from the Ukrainian community, religious leaders and volunteers helping with the humanitarian effort. In an open speech, Charles told them: “Thank you very much for welcoming us to this very special cathedral.
“I must say that my wife and I were deeply moved by everything we heard today during our visit, and above all by the extraordinary courage, generosity and tenacity of the Ukrainian community in the face of such truly terrible aggression.
“So, if I may say so, our thoughts and prayers, however inadequate, are with all of you at this most critical moment.”
The five charities Charles has brought together and linked to the community are World Jewish Relief, the British Red Cross, International Health Partners, In Kind Direct and the International Rescue Committee.
Before leaving, the couple went to the altar, where they lit candles and laid two sunflowers – the national flower of Ukraine.
In recent days, the cathedral has become a gathering place for the British Ukrainian community.
Cathedral officials say Ukrainian men sought blessings before returning to their homeland to join the fight against Putin’s army.
The Ukrainian ambassador, Mr. Pristaiko, said he was “touched” by the duchess embracing his wife, and said he would pass the symbolized message back to his homeland.
Asked about Charles’ comments, he disagreed with the assumption that they were “political”.
He said: “It is no longer political, we are politically past, we are in a state of survival. Now, as the prince mentioned, we are trying to find a way [to see] how a nation of 40 million people can survive an aggressor.