Prince Charles, Camilla visit Ukrainian church in Ottawa as gesture of support

‘Your country is truly a friend of Ukraine,’ priest thanks royal couple

OTTAWA Prince Charles and Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, lit candles and listened to a prayer service on Wednesday inside a gilded Ukrainian Orthodox cathedral in Ottawa, while congregants and onlookers waved blue-and-yellow flags and Union Jacks outside.

The royals visited the church as a gesture of their support for the warravaged country on the second day of their Platinum Jubilee tour of Canada.

A priest told the couple the community sincerely appreciates the support of the Royal Family.

“Your country is truly a friend of Ukraine, having extended a helping hand, not only militarily but also as fellow citizens of our planet. We will never, never forget that,” said Father Ihor Kutash.

The prince and Camilla arrived in Canada on Tuesday, spending the day in Newfoundland and Labrador before flying to the national capital in the evening. Their busy day in Ottawa on Wednesday included stops at the National War Memorial and the famed ByWard Market.

Outside the Blessed Virgin Ukrainian Orthodox Cathedral, the crowd chanted “Slava Ukraini,” which means glory to Ukraine. Among those gathered was Iryna Bloshenko, who arrived in Canada from Dnipro in the besieged country just four weeks ago.

“I am very happy, very excited to see the royals,” she said, waving a Ukrainian flag. “We appreciate the royals’ support for Ukraine.”

Ruslan Rovishen, a Ukrainian who lives in Ottawa, echoed that message.

“We appreciate the royals are coming and we are praying with them for peace in Ukraine,” he said. “It has been my dream since childhood to see the British Royal Family. I am excited they are here.”

Retired math teacher Graham Corke, who moved to Canada from England 50 years ago, said he has seen the royals in Canada three or four times before, but this time was there to support Ukraine.

“I think it is very important the royals are supporting the Ukrainian people,” said Corke.

After attending the prayer service, the royal couple met with a Ukrainian family who fled the Russian invasion.

Crowds grew throughout the day, and by early afternoon the couple was swarmed by a large crowd of well-wishers and royal watchers at Ottawa’s ByWard Market.