King Charles Hosts Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Sandringham.

On Sunday, King Charles III welcomed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his Sandringham estate in eastern England. The meeting, which lasted nearly an hour, followed Zelensky’s participation in a defense summit focused on Ukraine in London.

President Zelensky arrived at Sandringham via military helicopter, which was observed descending low over the estate around 5:25 PM (GMT). Local residents gathered outside, some waving Ukrainian flags in anticipation of the president’s visit.

Upon arrival, Zelensky was escorted through the estate grounds by motorcade to Sandringham House, where King Charles greeted him at the doorstep with an embrace and a handshake. The two leaders engaged in brief conversation and posed for photographs before moving to the saloon room, where they continued discussions over tea.

This meeting marked another chapter in the ongoing diplomatic relationship between the United Kingdom and Ukraine, following their previous encounters during Zelensky’s surprise visit to Buckingham Palace in February 2023 and at the European Political Community summit in Oxfordshire in July 2024.

The context of this meeting is noteworthy, occurring shortly after President Zelensky’s unexpected public confrontation with U.S. leaders in the Oval Office. Just a day prior, King Charles had extended an invitation to former President Donald Trump for an unprecedented second state visit to the UK.

As both leaders navigated the complexities of international relations, this latest engagement at Sandringham underscores the enduring commitment of the UK monarchy to fostering dialogue and support for Ukraine amidst ongoing challenges.