A war in Europe was unimaginable two weeks ago. There's been widespread shock around the world over Russian President Vladimir Putin's merciless and unprovoked attack on Ukraine, and among many in his own homeland. Ukraine's President, Volodymyr Zelensky, tweeted back, saying he and wife Olena were grateful to the couple that "at this crucial time, when Ukraine is courageously opposing Russia's invasion, they stand by our country and support our brave citizens." From California, on the day Russia launched its invasion, Prince Harry and Meghan expressed their solidarity with the people of Ukraine "against this breach of international and humanitarian law" and urged "the global community and its leaders to do the same." The pair went to the Cathedral of the Holy Family -- which has become a rallying point for the British Ukrainian community -- where they met the Ukrainian Ambassador to the UK, Vadym Prystaiko, and his wife, Inna Prystaiko, as well as Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski.
The Queen seems to be on the mend after contracting coronavirus nearly two weeks ago, undertaking a number of video calls this week. Charles celebrates success of Black Britons. The Prince of Wales brought together some of the most influential Black Britons when he hosted a reception for supporters of the Powerlist at Clarence House on Tuesday. The Powerlist is an annual celebration of 100 of the most influential people of African, African-Caribbean and African-American heritage. "These communities have made and continue to make an incredibly positive difference to society as a whole and, in doing so, have built a real community spirit and cohesion," Charles said. The heir to the throne added it was "particularly pleasing to see the diversity of talent" recognized by the initiative, from the arts to business, the environment and technology, among other sectors. Charles said the Powerlist -- now in its 16th year -- has helped identify "expertise and leadership" that will aid the UK in meeting the challenges it continues to face across society. William and Kate celebrate St. David's Day in Wales. The Cambridges took a trip to Wales to mark St. David's Day, where they were greeted by throngs of well-wishers. The trip was focused on the importance of the agricultural industry, with their engagements centered around how community groups are supporting young people, while also celebrating the region's history. In Abergavenny, they stopped at a goat farm that has supplied milk to local cheesemakers for almost two decades. Meanwhile, in Blaenavon, the pair rolled up their sleeves in the kitchen of a local youth center, where they baked Welsh cakes before playing a game of pool.
Meghan celebrates historic Supreme Court nomination. The Duchess of Sussex weighed in on Ketanji Brown Jackson's historic Supreme Court nomination to become the first Black woman to sit on the highest court in the United States. Meghan spoke to Anita Hill, an American lawyer who became a household name in 1991 when she testified about sexual harassment she allegedly endured from then-Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas, for URL Media. Reflecting on Jackson's nomination, Hill wrote in an op-ed that she wanted to seek the thoughts of others who had "entered arenas once thought to be inaccessible," so she reached out to Meghan. The duchess praised President Joe Biden's pick, telling her "the civil rights history of tomorrow is being written today." Meghan added that Jackson's nomination "opened new ground for women's representation at the highest level of a judicial system that for too long has tilted against the very community she hails from." Read Hill's op-ed here.
New Diana portrait goes on display. An exhibition opening Friday at London's Kensington Palace will debut a portrait of Princess Diana that's never been seen by the public. Taken by fashion photographer David Bailey in 1988, the image was originally commissioned by the National Portrait Gallery but has remained in Bailey's archive until now. The black-and-white image shows an elegant 27-year-old Diana gazing into the distance, wearing a satin off-the-shoulder gown and a pair of teardrop earrings.
In addition to the Diana portrait, the exhibition, titled "A Life Through A Royal Lens," will showcase a range of works exploring the relationship between photography and the monarchy. The Queen and the Duke of Edinburgh, Stourbridge, April 1957 The Prince of Wales and Duchess of Cornwall at the Sandringham Flower Show in July 2019.
Nearly 1,000 images were submitted from people around the world who were keen to share their encounters with royals, with photographs ranging from royal walkabouts in the 1950s to the traditional Christmas Day service at Sandringham, the Queen's private residence in Norfolk. The Duchess of Cornwall has a busy week ahead, with two major engagements on her calendar. Prince Charles and Camilla unveiled an eco-friendly pier train named in honor of murdered British politician David Amess, during a visit to Southend, east of London on March 1. Amess, a veteran Conservative lawmaker, was stabbed to death in his constituency in October.
"What we saw in the terrible tragedy in Southend was an attack on democracy, on an open society, on freedom itself. We are seeing those same values under attack today in Ukraine, in the most unconscionable way. In the stand we take here, we are in solidarity with all those who are resisting brutal oppression."
– Prince Charles' condemnation of Russia's attack on Tuesday
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