His Majesty King Charles III may not reside at Buckingham Palace, instead choosing to live a few minutes away at Clarence House, however, the iconic 775-room building is often used by the monarch for important meetings and engagements and is called a ‘focal point’ on the official website. On Tuesday, the King opened his doors to welcome Volodymyr Zelensky for a meeting ahead of the Ukrainian president signing a new defence deal with the UK.
Although the monarch must remain a neutral political figure, he often greets key prime ministers, presidents, leaders and dignitaries as a way of forming relationships with other countries and using diplomatic soft power.
© POOL/AFP via Getty ImagesBritain’s King Charles III shakes hands with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky during a private audience at Buckingham Palace in London
© Getty ImagesKing Charles III (R) meets with President Volodymyr Zelensky Of Ukraine at Buckingham Palace on March 17, 2026 in London, England
The photos of the pair together show them shaking hands and then standing side-by-side for the cameras. This isn’t the first time that the figureheads have met, with Zelensky being welcomed at various royal residences multiple times in the past few years, since they first got acquainted when Zelensky flew into Britain on a top-secret visit in 2023.
Speaking about His Majesty after one of the meetings in 2025, Zelensky said: “I’m very grateful for this meeting and for how His Majesty helps Ukraine and supports us. He’s met our warriors here, being trained in the UK, and we’re very thankful to the Royal Family for their support.”
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Government plans
© Getty ImagesPrime Minister Sir Keir Starmer wants to make this deal with Ukraine
At a time when all eyes are on Iran, attention is still required in Ukraine, Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged. Russia invaded Ukraine in 2022, and now in 2026, the UK Prime Minister is keen to forge even stronger connections with the Eastern European country. Volodymyr Zelensky is in the UK to sign a new defence deal. Downing Street said the partnership with Kyiv would bring together “Ukrainian expertise and the UK’s industrial base” to manufacture and supply drones and other capabilities.
As part of the special agreement, the UK government will put £500,000 towards a new “AI centre of excellence” in Ukraine, where the power of AI is to be used for a “battlefield advantage”.
Sir Keir said: “We must work in lockstep with our partners and allies to deliver security at home and abroad, and this new partnership with Ukraine will do just that.
“Drones, electronic warfare and rapid battlefield innovation are now central to national and economic security, and that has only been further magnified by the conflict in the Middle East.
“By deepening our defence partnerships, we are strengthening Ukraine’s ability to defend itself from Russia’s brutal, ongoing attacks, while ensuring the UK and our allies are better prepared to meet the threats of the future.”