Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky concluded his whirlwind diplomatic tour of Western allies with a private audience with King Charles III at the monarch’s Sandringham estate in Norfolk on Sunday afternoon.
The hour-long meeting, which took place in the estate’s historic Saloon room over tea, came at Zelensky’s request and with the British government’s blessing. It represents another show of the UK’s steadfast support for Ukraine as the war with Russia approaches its third year.
“I’m very grateful for this meeting and for how His Majesty helps Ukraine and supports us,” Zelensky told reporters afterward, describing the encounter as “very good” and expressing appreciation for the Royal Family’s ongoing solidarity.
Local residents gathered outside the royal estate, some waving Ukrainian flags, as Zelensky’s helicopter touched down. While an official visit rather than a formal state occasion, the meeting nonetheless carries significant diplomatic weight amid escalating tensions between Ukraine and the incoming Trump administration.
The Sandringham summit follows a particularly turbulent diplomatic stretch for the Ukrainian leader. Just days earlier, Zelensky endured what observers called a confrontational exchange with President Donald Trump at the White House, where the American president publicly accused him of “gambling with World War Three” and suggested Ukraine should make territorial concessions to Russia.
This dramatic shift in tone from Washington has heightened the importance of Ukraine’s European relationships. Zelensky had spent the weekend in London attending a European defense summit where Prime Minister Keir Starmer unveiled a four-step plan aimed at guaranteeing Ukraine’s long-term security. The plan emphasizes sustained military aid and proposes creating a “coalition of the willing” to defend Ukraine as part of any eventual peace agreement.
King Charles has been an unwavering supporter of Ukraine since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. Last year, he described Ukraine as suffering “indescribable aggression” and praised the Ukrainian people for showing “truly remarkable courage and resilience in the face of such human tragedy.” The monarch first met Zelensky during the Ukrainian president’s surprise visit to the UK in 2023 and later that same day visited Ukrainian troops training in Wiltshire.
The timing of Sunday’s meeting has raised eyebrows in diplomatic circles, as it comes shortly after Prime Minister Starmer extended an invitation from the King for Trump to make a second state visit to the UK. Starmer presented this invitation during his recent trip to Washington, calling Trump’s previous state visit a “tremendous success” and describing the second invitation as “truly historic” and “unprecedented.”
Some political voices, including Scottish First Minister John Swinney, have called for Trump’s invitation to be withdrawn following his contentious meeting with Zelensky. However, Starmer has firmly rejected these suggestions, emphasizing the importance of maintaining strong UK-US relations regardless of political differences.
As Ukraine continues to navigate an increasingly complex diplomatic landscape, the Royal audience provides Zelensky with another platform to reinforce the message that Ukraine’s European allies remain committed to its sovereignty and territorial integrity – even as questions mount about the future of American support once Trump returns to office in January.
Royal commentators note that while the meeting’s official purpose was diplomatic, the King’s personal interest in Ukraine’s struggle has been evident throughout the conflict. Charles has met with Ukrainian refugees settled in the UK and consistently highlighted humanitarian efforts to support those displaced by the war.
