The spouse of Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has arrived at Westminster Abbey to attend the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II.
Olena Zelenska is representing Ukraine at the ceremonies on behalf of her spouse as he carries on to lead his nation in its struggle in opposition to Russian invaders.
Clad in all black mourning attire, Zelenska and a handful of Ukrainian delegates submitted into the grand 753-calendar year-outdated Abbey exactly where senior members of The Firm, vital figures from British politics and 1,000 VIPs from about the globe will pay their remaining respects in the course of the ceremony.
The Ukrainian Very first Woman is seated next to the aisle in the gothic developing, 4 rows driving French President Emmanuel Macron, who attends the funeral with his wife Brigitte.
Zelenska was 1 of hundreds of globe leaders and foreign delegates who attended the ‘reception of the century’ hosted by new king Charles very last night at Buckingham Palace.
Speaking to BBC yesterday, Zelenska explained she was spending respects on behalf of all Ukrainians.
‘They know the Queen shared the values that Ukraine stands for now: independence, the proper to one’s personal house, language, tradition and country,’ she mentioned.
‘We have consistently read text of support from her. It is extremely critical for us to know that such a earth chief of an epoch, a leader with an impeccable status and morals, was with us.’
First Woman of Ukraine Olena Zelenska (ideal) is pictured sitting down together with Ukrainian delegates in Westminster Abbey, seated 4 rows behind French President Emmanuel Macron (base still left)
Ms Zelenska was noticed yesterday coming into Westminster Corridor, in which the late monarch is now lying in state
King Charles greets foreign dignitaries including Very first Lady of Ukraine Olena Zelenska (centre)
She appeared together with other members of the Ukrainian delegation to the United kingdom and bowed her head as she surveyed the Queen lying-in-condition
Initial Lady Olena Zelenska (pictured with members of the Ukrainian delegation, correct) appeared pensive as she attended the lying in condition of Her Majesty at Westminster Corridor
Earlier on Sunday the Very first Woman also paid out her respects to Her Majesty in the course of a visit to see her lying in condition at Westminster hall with a modest contingent of Ukrainian delegates.
Dressed in all black, she wore a gold pin encouraged by a rushnyk, a piece of cloth embroidered with traditional Ukrainian symbols, on her blazer.
As she contemplated the solemn situation, her expression was sombre and she bowed her head in regard, remaining in the hall for several minutes as customers of the British general public filed previous down below.
Her arrival in the United kingdom had been hotly predicted following it was confirmed that her spouse Volodymyr would be remaining at property to direct the war effort and hard work.
Right after viewing the Queen’s casket at Westminster Hall, Ms Zelenska had an viewers with the Princess of Wales at Buckingham Palace ahead of the night reception.
The pair, the two wearing long black dresses, sat either aspect of a fire on gingham armchairs with pink orchids on display screen in the background.
Dressed in all black, she wore a gold pin inspired by a rushnyk, a piece of material embroidered with standard Ukrainian symbols, on her blazer
The spouse of Ukraine’s President Zelensky, Olena Zelenska, bows her head as she pays tribute to the late Queen Elizabeth II
Ms Zelenska was found on Sunday coming into Westminster Corridor, where by the late monarch was lying in condition
The wife of Ukraine’s President Zelensky, Olena Zelenska (R), is pictured speaking with the Princess of Wales yesterday at Buckingham Palace
Kate spoke with Zelenska at the Palace ahead of the evening reception (pictured L-R: Princess of Wales, First Lady of Ukraine)
The Very first Girl (left) is in the United kingdom symbolizing her husband President Zelensky (appropriate), who is remaining at house to lead the war exertion
A host of foreign dignitaries entered Westminster Corridor yesterday to pay respects, which includes French President Emmanuel Macron and his spouse Brigitte, and US president Joe Biden and his spouse Jill, ahead of the evening reception.
Dubbed ‘the reception of the century’, the Buckingham Palace function was attended by 1,000 VIPs.
Quite a few international dignitaries attended the mammoth occasion, which include US President Joe Biden, New Zealand’s key minister Jacinda Ardern, Canadian premier Justin Trudeau and a lot of senior associates of The Firm.
Other visitors provided President of Ireland, Michael D Higgins, Irish Taoiseach Micheal Martin, Bangladeshi Primary Minister Sheikh Hasina Wazed and Colombia’s Very first Girl Veronica Alcocer Gargia and International Minister Alvaro Leyva.
International royals also took part in the celebration, with King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain, and King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden on the visitor record among the many others.
King Felipe and Queen Letizia of Spain seemed dignified as they seen the Queen’s coffin lying-in-point out on Sunday evening
King Phillipe and Queen Mathilde of Belgiun appear solemn as they shell out their respects to Her late Majesty as she lies in condition at WEstminster Corridor
King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia of Sweden also arrived to spend their respects at Westminster Hall forward of the funeral
Wueen Silvia of Sweden arrived at Buckingham Palace with King Carl XVI Gustav to be hosted by King Charles III, immediately after spending their respects to Her late Majesty in Westminster Hall before these days
The royal couple were among the very first monarchs to watch the monarch lying-in-condition at Westminster Corridor.
Putin, who has beforehand experienced an viewers with the Queen, has not been invited, irrespective of providing his condolences to the Royal Relatives past 7 days.
Nevertheless, the guest listing did function a string of controversial strongmen, such as Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, who was filmed currently offering a thunderous speech from the windows of the Brazilian Embassy in London to a cheering crowd waving the national flag.
China vice-president, Wang Qishan, will show up at the funeral but was barred by parliamentary leaders from the lying-in-condition.
Owing to strained ties, the British isles opted to invite ambassadors, not heads of point out, from Iran, Nicaragua and North Korea. In the meantime, Russia and Belarus are amid a modest group of nations excluded completely adhering to Putin’s invasion of Ukraine.
