The Queen has met Ukrainian First Lady Olena Zelenska at Clarence House, just days after the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Camilla, 76, was pictured placing her arm behind the wife of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s back as she guided her along a hallway ahead of their meeting on Thursday morning.

The pair – who previously met in November 2022 at a Buckingham Palace reception to raise awareness of violence against women – were photographed in conversation as they sat in the Garden Room at the London royal residence.

King Charles, who is receiving ongoing treatment for cancer, remains in London but did not meet the First Lady on Thursday.

Ms Zelenska thanked the Queen for the King’s message of support to Ukraine on the second anniversary of the conflict – and said how much it had meant to her nation.

The Queen met Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska at Clarence House on Thursday (pictured)

Camilla was pictured placing her arm behind Ms Zelenska’s back as she guided her along a hallway ahead of their meeting

Camilla spoke of how Britain was thinking of Ukraine as it marked the sad milestone. They also discussed the bravery and resilience of Ukrainians and the UK’s determination to support the nation.

They are also understood to have spoken of the impact of the war on women and children, the mental and physical scars it has left, and how the UK can assist in caring for them. 

Ms Zelenska was a guest at the King and Queen’s coronation last May, representing her war-torn nation with its prime minister Denys Shmyhal. 

She also attended the late Queen’s funeral and Camilla thanked Ms Zelenska for her presence at both services.

Camilla has been dubbed the monarchy’s ‘saviour’ and praised for keeping ‘the show on the road’ in the King’s absence, and while the Princess of Wales is recovering from abdominal surgery.

She led the royal family at the memorial service for King Constantine of Greece earlier this week, with the Prince of Wales also absent at the last minute due to an unexplained personal matter.

Camilla’s meeting with Ms Zelenska took place on the advice of Foreign Office and lasted around 30 minutes, the Palace said.

Thursday’s meeting comes after the King praised the ‘determination and strength’ of the Ukrainian people in a message marking the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion.

Camilla welcomed the wife of the Ukrainian president to her London residence on Thursday morning

They were pictured in conversation as they sat in the Garden Room, with their meeting coming just days after the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine

Charles, 75, said he is ‘greatly encouraged’ by the efforts of the UK and its allies in supporting Ukraine ‘at this time of such great suffering and need’.

He said: ‘The determination and strength of the Ukrainian people continues to inspire, as the unprovoked attack on their land, their lives and livelihoods enters a third, tragic, year.

‘Despite the tremendous hardship and pain inflicted upon them, Ukrainians continue to show the heroism with which the world associates them so closely.

‘Theirs is true valour, in the face of indescribable aggression. I have felt this personally in the many meetings I have had with Ukrainians since the start of the war, from President Zelensky and Mrs Zelenska, to new army recruits training here in the United Kingdom.

‘I continue to be greatly encouraged that the United Kingdom and our allies remain at the forefront of international efforts to support Ukraine at this time of such great suffering and need.

The King (pictured with the Queen) praised the ‘determination and strength’ of the Ukrainian people in a message marking the second anniversary of Russia’s invasion

The King (pictured meeting President Zelensky) has met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky several times, including during his visit to the UK in February last year

The King said: ‘The determination and strength of the Ukrainian people continues to inspire, as the unprovoked attack on their land, their lives and livelihoods enters a third, tragic, year’

‘My heart goes out to all those affected, as I remember them in my thoughts and prayers.’

The King has undertaken many engagements in the UK linked to Ukraine since the war began, including visiting a training site for military recruits in Wiltshire.

He has met Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky several times, including during his visit to the UK in February last year.

It was announced earlier this month that Charles had been diagnosed with a form of cancer, discovered while he was being treated in hospital for an enlarged prostate.

He has started a schedule of regular treatments but postponed all public-facing duties, spending much of his time at the royal residence in Sandringham, Norfolk.