The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge paid an emotional visit to the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London on Wednesday amid the ongoing war crisis. William and Kate met with members of the Ukrainian community and volunteers and heard first-hand about how the social club is supporting the most vulnerable.
The royals also heard about the challenges the centre faces to get donations to where it is most needed and admitted that their own children Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis had come home asking questions about the war.
This wasn't the first time the Cambridges have shown their support for Ukraine. Shortly after Russia's invasion, the royals posted a personal tweet, writing: "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. W & C."
READ: President Zelenskky grateful for William and Kate's support
from William and Kate's engagement.
Managing to fly under the radar, the royals arrived at the west London centre by car and brought homemade treats for the volunteers.
The Duchess gave a sartorial nod to Ukraine, wearing a badge and a cosy McQueen blue jumper which she paired with navy flares.
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A closer look at Kate's Ukraine badge, which depicted a heart and the colours of the country's flag.
"For our generation, it's very alien to see this in Europe. We're all right behind you," William told the volunteers. He added that they wanted to do more to help, saying: "We're thinking about you. We feel so useless."
The future King also revealed how their elder children George, eight, and Charlotte, six, had been asking questions. "Ours have been coming home asking all about it," William said. "They are obviously talking about it with their friends at school."
READ: How to talk to your children about the Ukraine/Russia conflict
The royals spent time viewing the piles of donations in boxes being collected at the centre.
The Cambridges also met Saleh Saeed, CEO of the Disasters Emergency Committee, who spoke about the ongoing Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal and how best the UK public can continue to support Ukraine.
William and Kate have donated to the DEC's appeal, which has managed to raise over £120million for its member charities working on the ground, thanks to the generosity of the British public. The funding will help support Ukrainians across Europe.
The Cambridges posed for a group photo inside the centre.
The couple brought homemade chocolate brownies and granola bars from Kensington Palace for the volunteers.