Queen Elizabeth II came out of her reserve to show her support for Ukraine. Which offered him a hat in thanks.
Ordinarily, she does not take a position. But from the start of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Queen Elizabeth II chose her side. While members of his family – Kate and William in particular – were visiting Ukrainian refugees in England, His Majesty discreetly made a substantial donation to help them. This was revealed on March 3 by the Disasters Emergency Committee, which had received this money, while not disclosing the amount.
To see again in pictures : Kate Middleton very moved at the Ukrainian Cultural Center with Prince William
In addition, this Wednesday, August 24, 2022, as Ukraine celebrated its National Day, the British sovereign, currently on vacation at her Balmoral castle, sent a message to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
On their 31st anniversary of Independence, Her Majesty The Queen congratulates Ukrainians.
In her address to the President of Ukraine she said: pic.twitter.com/01JQWif1K3
— UK in Ukraine (@UKinUkraine) August 24, 2022
In this most challenging year, I hope that today will be a time for the Ukrainian people, both in Ukraine and around the world, to celebrate their culture, history and identity.
May we look to better times in the future”.
Elizabeth R
— UK in Ukraine (@UKinUkraine) August 24, 2022
In it, posted on the Twitter account of the British Embassy in Kyiv, she wrote: “It gives me great pleasure to extend to Your Excellency and the people of Ukraine my warmest regards to occasion of your Independence Day celebration. In this most challenging year, I hope today will be a time for the Ukrainian people, both in Ukraine and around the world, to celebrate their culture, history and identity. May we look forward to better times in the future”.
A blue hat adorned with mostly yellow flowers
That same day, Ukraine thanked her for this infallible support by offering her a … hat. A very symbolic gift. What would Elizabeth II be without her legendary headgear? Specially designed for her by the Ukrainian designer Ruslan Baginskiy, this one combines the colors of the country. Blue, it is adorned with yellow and blue silk flowers – where a few others, pink – are made by hand. Marking Independence Day and UK-Ukraine relations, it was officially presented by Ukraine’s First Deputy Foreign Minister Emine Dzheppar to UK Ambassador to Kyiv Melinda Simons. Which hastened to make it known on his Twitter account, photo of said hat in support. It only remains to scrutinize the future outings of the 96-year-old Queen – admittedly now few – to see if she will wear it in public.
I was presented with this beautiful hat designed by Ruslan Baginskiy for the Queen, to mark Ukrainian Independence Day and the relationship between the UK and Ukraine. #standwithukraine #standforfreedom pic.twitter.com/WejdMHv3Fu
— Melinda Simmons (@MelSimmonsFCDO) August 24, 2022