Kate’s message to Ukraine: We are all thinking of you
The Princess of Wales has sent a message of support to Ukraine saying “we are all thinking of you” as she left her handprint on a picture which marked the first anniversary of the Russian invasion.
The future Queen has attended a number of events in support of the people of Ukraine and their struggle against Russian President Vladimir Putin’s regime.
Her tour of the Vsi Razom – Ukrainian for all together – Community Hub saw her make a Ukrainian ribbon brooch, help a little girl complete some artwork and chat to a Ukrainian psychologist providing support to her fellow countrymen and women.
Kate asked “is there a technique?” as she began filling her box at the centre in the Lexicon shopping complex, Bracknell, Berkshire with a group of young Ukrainians, and was advised to put the heaviest objects at the bottom.
When told many Ukrainians have volunteered to help out in the centre she said: “It must feel good for them to be able to do something for the people back home.”
She lighted the mood by saying “I’ve never done a handprint with a glove on. It will be a bit cleaner, normally the children end up putting paint everywhere.”
Later, after trying to tie a bow to make a Ukrainian ribbon brooch, in the national colours of the country, she looked at her effort and quipped: “I’m not sure you’re going to be able to sell this one”.
Mother-of-three Kate stopped to chat to many of the children who were enjoying an art class at the hub and she joined Sofiya Ovchinnik, the three-year-old daughter of hub co-founder MsVil, and helped her complete a collage of paper flowers.
The little girl wore a dress, necklace and sparkling tiara and her mother later joked that was her “normal” outfit and she had not dressed up for the visit.
Kate talked to the youngster about music, telling her: “I heard my daughter singing … it was a song called Shine Jesus Shine, that made me very happy this morning,” and the schoolgirl replied she knew the song.
Ms Vil, co-founded the centre after collecting a large amount of donations for Ukraine in the aftermath of the Russian invasion which were transported in vehicles provided by Ms Toomey, from Bracknell, and the women went on to create a permanent hub of support.
After the royal visit Ms Vil, a Bracknell resident, said: “It’s really good to see we are noticed and noticed by the royal family. I hope it will lead to us getting support from other businesses – we want to go further.”