NEED TO KNOW
Princess Anne spoke about a loved one during her under-the-radar visit to Ukraine
The Princess Royal, 75, visited the war-torn country on Sept. 30
Princess Anne visited Ukraine two weeks after Prince Harry’s trip there
Princess Anne shared a reflection about a family member during her top-secret visit to Ukraine amid the Russian invasion.
On Sept. 30, King Charles’ sister made the personal revelation while visiting Ukraine at the request of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office. The Princess Royal, 75, traveled there to show solidarity with the children and families living through the conflict and draw attention to the traumatic experiences of children living on the frontline.
Princess Anne met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and his wife, first lady Olena Zelenska, in Kyiv, and referred to her daughter, Zara Tindall, as she paid her respects at the Children’s Memorial alongside the Ukrainian first lady.
After laying a teddy bear at the tribute, which honors the children who have died since the invasion began, Sky News reported that Anne said, “That was one that my daughter had.”
Thomas Peter – Pool/Getty
First lady Olena Zelenska and Princess Anne in Kyiv, Ukraine on Sept. 30, 2025.
The Princess Royal shares her daughter Zara, 44, and son Peter Phillips, 47, with her first husband, Captain Mark Phillips, and is a grandmother to five grandchildren.
Elsewhere during her under-the-radar visit, which was not publicized in advance, Princess Anne spoke with Zelenskyy about the U.K.’s support for Ukraine amid the conflict, met female police and military personnel to hear about their critical role protecting women and children and toured the Child Rights Protection Centre, among other stops.
Thomas Peter – Pool/Getty
Princess Anne and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Kyiv, Ukraine on Sept. 30, 2025.
According to a statement from Buckingham Palace, over 19,500 Ukrainian children have been transferred or deported by Russian forces to Russia and Ukraine’s occupied territories to date.
The King’s sister has made the well-being of children globally a priority of her royal platform and has been president of Save the Children U.K. since 1970.
Thomas Peter – Pool/Getty
Princess Anne in Kyiv, Ukraine on Sept. 30, 2025.
Princess Anne traveled to Ukraine just two weeks after her nephew Prince Harry made a surprise trip to Ukraine on Sept. 12 following his latest visit to the U.K., which included his first meeting with his father King Charles in 19 months.
The Duke of Sussex and founding patron of the Invictus Games visited Ukraine to show support for wounded, sick and injured military personnel, in a stop that doubled as his second trip to Ukraine this year.
Emmi Korhonen/Lehtikuva/Shutterstock
Prince Harry in Kyiv, Ukraine on Sept. 12, 2025.
Can’t get enough of PEOPLE’s Royals coverage? Sign up for our free Royals newsletter to get the latest updates on Kate Middleton, Meghan Markle and more!
The British royal family has consistently shown support for Ukraine since the Russian invasion began in February 2022 and in April 2024, Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh became the first member of the royal family to visit the country.
In March 2023, Prince William undertook a solo trip to Poland to thank British and Polish troops involved in the conflict and responding to the humanitarian crisis on the front lines.
Read the original article on People