Olena Zelenska, the First Lady of Ukraine, sent her warmest regards to King Charles before even thinking of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer during a telephone conversation with her husband on Monday, President Volodymyr Zelensky has revealed.
“We have a very good relationship, you know. Today, in the morning, when I spoke by phone with my wife, with all respect to Keir [Starmer], but my wife said best regards to His Majesty first, of course, and then to the Prime Minister, of course. So of course, we, and Ukraine, love His Majesty,” Mr Zelensky told the Guardian.
The lighthearted disclosure underlined the deep affection the Ukrainian leader and his family hold for the British monarch, a bond that has strengthened through multiple meetings since the full-scale Russian invasion began. Mr Zelensky described his relationship with the King as “very good” and confirmed that his wife’s priority reflected a wider sentiment across Ukraine. The Prime Minister, who meets the King weekly for counsel and has previously expressed views favouring the abolition of the monarchy before adopting a more conciliatory stance, received his regards second — a hierarchy the President noted with gentle humour.
A historic state visit on the cards
Alongside the personal warmth, Mr Zelensky disclosed his intention to extend a formal invitation for King Charles to visit Ukraine, potentially as soon as this year. Such a trip would mark a historic moment, making the monarch the highest-ranking member of the Royal Family to travel to Kyiv since Russia launched its full-scale assault.
“Today I want to invite him very much,” Mr Zelensky said. “Yes, of course, we want to see him in Ukraine very much.” The invitation, however, is not unconditional. The Ukrainian President acknowledged that the decision ultimately hinges on security conditions, a concern that has shaped the Royal Family’s engagement with the country throughout the war.
Security hurdles remain the key obstacle
“I don’t know from the point of security,” Mr Zelensky told the Guardian, adding that he could not say whether a visit would be possible this year. “I don’t know how it will be this year, if it’s possible, but of course we want to see him.”
The security challenges of a wartime state visit by a reigning monarch are considerable. Since the invasion began in February 2022, only two working members of the Royal Family have travelled to Ukraine: Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, and Princess Anne. The Duchess became the first working royal to visit in April 2024, using the trip to show solidarity and support survivors of conflict-related sexual violence. She met President Zelensky and the First Lady, and delivered a personal message on behalf of the King. Princess Anne made an unannounced visit in October 2025, meeting the same officials and focusing on the experiences of children on the front line. She visited the Children’s Memorial, where she left a teddy bear.
Prince Harry, though no longer a working royal, has made three separate visits to Ukraine since the invasion. His most recent trip came in September last year, during which he expressed his commitment to doing “everything possible” to assist the recovery of thousands of Ukrainian military personnel wounded in the conflict. He has also spoken at the Kyiv Security Forum and visited memorials.
None of those journeys, however, carry the same weight or risk as a visit by the head of state. King Charles would be a prime target, requiring an immense security operation involving close coordination between Ukrainian and British authorities. The President’s own caution reflects this reality: while Ukraine would welcome the King with open arms, the practical obstacles are formidable.
King Charles has consistently demonstrated his backing for Ukraine throughout the war. In a parliamentary speech he referred to Russia’s invasion as an “unprovoked attack” and reaffirmed Britain’s “unflinching support” for the country. He has also raised the situation in Ukraine in conversations with US President Donald Trump. The monarch publicly showed his solidarity after Mr Zelensky’s contentious White House visit in February last year, when the Ukrainian leader endured a difficult encounter with Mr Trump and Vice President JD Vance. In the days that followed, King Charles welcomed Mr Zelensky to his private estate at Sandringham in March last year — a gesture widely seen as a demonstration of unwavering support.
The pair first met at Buckingham Palace in 2023 and have since met on multiple occasions. Most recently, King Charles received Mr Zelensky at Windsor Castle on Monday, the same day the Ukrainian President shared the anecdote about his wife’s priorities. Asked about the extent of the King’s backing, Mr Zelensky declined to elaborate. “It’s up to His Majesty to answer on such questions,” he said.
The monarch’s personal engagement with Ukraine, combined with the logistical complexities of wartime travel, means that any decision on a state visit will be carefully weighed. For now, the invitation has been extended — but the security question remains unanswered.
