Kate held an audience with Olena Zelenska at the royal residence on Sunday afternoon, where they were pictured talking. The Princess of Wales welcomes the First Lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska, to Buckingham Palace (PA) The images capture the pair sitting side by side in front of a fireplace in gingham armchairs with purple orchids appearing in the background. Ms Zelenska earlier visited Westminster Hall to see the Queen lying in state. Zelenska pays her respects as the coffin passes (AFP/Getty Images) No 10 had previously refused to confirm reports that the Ukrainian president’s wife would travel to the UK for the historic ceremony. Ms Zelenska made the trip to the UK after her husband, Volodymyr Zelensky, took time out from leading his country against Russia’s war to sign a book of condolences for the late British monarch, who died last Thursday. Responding to the visit by the top Ukrainian official, the UK’s ambassador to the war-torn eastern European nation said she was “deeply honoured” by the president’s gesture. “I thank the president for taking the time to do this given everything else going on [Ukraine] right now,” Melinda Simmons said. The First Lady of Ukraine is pictured paying her respects to the British monarch second from right on a raised platform to the left of the coffin (PA) Kate and Ms Zelenska’s meeting comes after Liz Truss’ previous audience with the King in the palace chamber in 1844. The prime minister also continued informal talks with world leaders as hundreds of dignitaries descend on London for Monday’s funeral. It comes after President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden visited Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin as part of a trip to pay their respects to the late monarch. Mr Biden arrived in London earlier this week to pay tribute to the Queen as part of a series of events. Shortly afterwards, Mr Biden also signed the book of condolence for the Queen. They then attended a reception at Buckingham Palace. US President Joe Biden, accompanied by First Lady Jill Biden, signs a book of condolences at Lancaster House in London (Reuters) The Queen has been in London since Thursday night, with huge queues of mourners lining the River Thames waiting more than 14 hours to visit Her Majesty’s coffin. Mourners were given until 6.30am. on Monday to arrive at Westminster Hall in anticipation of tomorrow’s ceremony which will see the monarch transferred to Westminster Abbey and eventually to Windsor Castle. Heads of state and overseas government representatives, including foreign royals, governors-general and prime ministers of the kingdom will converge on the Westminster Abbey ceremony on Monday. Queen Elizabeth II’s coffin, draped in the Royal Standard with the Imperial Crown and the Sovereign’s Orb and Scepter is seen during reposing in Westminster Hall (Getty) Other representatives of the realms and the Commonwealth, the Orders of Chivalry, including recipients of the Victoria Cross and the George Cross, the Government, Parliament, Parliaments and Delegated Assemblies, the Church and Her Majesty’s Patrons will form the church, along with other representatives of the law, emergency services, civil servants and professions, and representatives of the public, a total of 2,000 people.
