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British Royals

The Princess of Wales welcomes Ukraine’s First Lady to Buckingham Palace

The Princess of Wales has held an audience with the First Lady of Ukraine.

The Princess and Olena Zelenska met at Buckingham Palace ahead of a reception for world leaders and dignitaries attending the State Funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.

The two, who have met previously when President Vlodomyr Zelenskyy first visited the UK after his election, held a private conversation after being photographed together.

Olena Zelenska also paid her respects at the coffin of Her Late Majesty when she visited Westminster Hall on Sunday afternoon.

The Ukrainian First Lady’s attendance at the funeral and state events surrounding it had only been confirmed at the last minute.

Royalty and political leaders from around the world are arriving in London for the State Funeral of Elizabeth II. The service takes place at Westminster Abbey at 11am on September 19th 2022.

On the evening of September 18th 2022, King Charles III and Queen Camilla are hosting a reception at Buckingham Palace for those in attendance.

About author

Lydia Starbuck is Jubilee and Associate Editor at Royal Central and the main producer and presenter of the Royal Central Podcast and Royal Central Extra. Lydia is also a pen name of June Woolerton who is a journalist and writer with over twenty years experience in TV, radio, print and online. Her latest book, A History of British Royal Jubilees, is out now. Her new book, The Mysterious Death of Katherine Parr, will be published in March 2024. June is an award winning reporter, producer and editor. She's appeared on outlets including BBC 5 Live, BBC Radio Ulster and BBC Local Radio and has also helped set up a commercial radio station. June is also an accomplished writer with a wide range of material published online and in print. She is the author of two novels, published as e-books. She is also a marriage registrar and ceremony celebrant.