The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Prince William, and Catherine visited the Disasters Emergency Committee Headquarters in London to learn more about their ongoing appeal to support people affected by the conflict in Ukraine.
This was William and Catherine’s second visit to show support to the Ukrainian people. In March they visited the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London to learn about the efforts being made in the UK and across Europe to help the Ukrainian people.
The #Duke and #DuchessofCambridge spent the Easter weekend at the Windsor Castle with The Queen.
A video of the family leaving the castle. https://t.co/t7LgGNE7yj
— RegalFille (@RegalFille) April 18, 2022
This is William and Catherine’s first public appearance since Easter weekend during which they led the British Royal Family at the annual service in the absence of The Queen and The Prince of Wales. The Cambridge family spent the Easter weekend with The Queen at Windsor Castle. On Monday, William and Catherine were seen leaving the castle with their three children Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
About today’s visit, Kensington Palace said, “More than 11 million people have fled their homes to escape the conflict, including 4 Million who have fled to other countries as refugees and 7 Million who are internally displaced. DEC and its local partners are in Ukraine and in neighboring countries providing food, water, shelter, and medical assistance. As well as providing for people’s immediate needs, a donation to the DEC will also help people affected by the conflict in the months and years ahead.”
The Royal couple was received by Saleh Saeed, CEO of DEC, and Hannah Richards, Director of Communications of DEC.
The DEC Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal has raised an incredible £300 million.
Thank you!
13 DEC charities and their local partners are providing immediate relief to people feeling conflict. Your generosity means we will continue to support them in the weeks and months ahead. pic.twitter.com/BXe9MT1b32
— DEC (@decappeal) April 21, 2022
The visit came as the Disasters Emergency Committee revealed that the Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal had raised over £300 million. The Queen, The Prince of Wales, and The Duke of Cambridge had made huge donations to the appeal. People from all walks of life had generously donated to the appeal. The British Government donated 25 Million to the appeal.
William and Catherine hailed the nation’s fundraising efforts as “extraordinary” and “inspiring”. The Duchess told the CEO and the aid workers, “It has been amazing to see everyone uniting together. It shows what is possible.”
DEC Chief Executive Saleh said, “’DEC charities have been quickly and efficiently scaling up their work to help people inside Ukraine and refugees fleeing over the border. We are seeing the real impact of the work they are doing, whether that is incubators for babies born under bombardment in Ukraine or vital protection work to ensure that vulnerable refugees are kept safe as they flee the conflict. We are incredibly grateful to the generous British public, to all the inspiring people and organizations that continue to do all they can to support people affected by this devastating conflict. We have seen everything from homemade badges sold in village shops to beautiful limited-edition artwork and of course, the Concert for Ukraine, which was broadcast not only nationally, but inside Ukraine, as people watched the visible display of support from laptops in underground bunkers. It feels as though everyone is doing their bit and more.”
During the visit, William and Catherine had an opportunity to speak with recently returned aid workers in person. The 13 member charities of the DEC also discussed their next 6 months plan and now provide a more detailed account of how DEC charities will spend money up until the end of August – although because the situation is so fluid that they may be adjusted to suit the needs on the ground. From Daily Mail’s report,
“Vanessa Maynard, Programmes and Operations Officer for Christian Aid told the Duke and Duchess: ‘I’ve just returned from Hungary where with DEC funds we’ve been responding rapidly through our existing network of local partners. We’re helping integrate refugees into the communities by supporting them with group cash so they can decide for themselves how best to address their specific needs like buying nappies, paying rent for the lodgings in host communities, or even pet food as many have fled with their animals as they couldn’t bear to leave without them. We’re also providing them with hot meals, temporary rest in community centers, safe spaces for children to receive trauma care, and information on their rights when they arrive in the host countries.”
They also spoke with those on the ground in Ukraine via zoom call to learn more about the work being carried out on the grounds in the country with these generous donations. Continuing from Daily Mail’s report,
“Speaking to the Duke and Duchess via video link from Kyiv, Rachael Cummings, Health Lead for Save the Children in Ukraine explained how the funds were transforming the way they had been able to respond to the crisis. She explained: ‘What the DEC funds have meant is that we’ve been able to significantly scale up our existing work in the country. We’re building our response by providing mobile health units, trauma kits, pharmaceuticals, medical equipment, nutrition support, and safe drinking water to respond to this crisis. We’re particularly concerned about the devastating effect on children and these funds mean that we can ensure that children receive high-quality care and support now and in the months ahead.”
Moving towards The Duchess of Cambridge style – once again Catherine chose a sleek and stylish look for the somber visit.
The Duchess of Cambridge was wearing her Reiss Larsson Double-Breasted Twill Blazer that she first wore in September 2021 when she visited RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire.
Catherine paired the blazer with a white top and what looked like her L.K.Bennett Frieda Crepe Trousers.
The Duchess of Cambridge was wearing black Ralph Lauren Celia Calfskin pumps. Thanks to Heaven on Twitter for the id.
Catherine was wearing her Kiki McDonough Citrine Pear Drop Earrings.
Next week will mark another rarest of rare occurrence. The Duchess of Cambridge, patron of The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (RCoG), and Princess Royal, patron of The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) will undertake a joint engagement on Wednesday, April 27th. They will visit both RCoG and RCM headquarters in London together.
Today marks Her Majesty The Queen’s 96th birthday. The Queen is spending the birthday quietly at the Wood Farm in Norfolk. Wood Farm on Sandringham Estate was Prince Philip’s sanctuary after his retirement from public life. The Queen traveled to Sandringham Estate yesterday via train.
Wishing Her Majesty The Queen a very happy 96th birthday today!
An inspiration to so many across the UK, the Commonwealth and the world, it’s particularly special to be celebrating in this #PlatinumJubilee year. pic.twitter.com/iWfyorcd8I
— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) April 21, 2022
The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge shared two lovely pictures on their social media to wish the Queen a very happy birthday. I wish Her Majesty The Queen a very Happy Birthday!!
This week also marks Prince Louis’ 4th birthday. We can expect a new picture of the little Prince ahead of his birthday on Friday evening.
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I will leave you with this new picture of The Duchess of Cambridge with Prince George and Princess Charlotte taken by Coni Perfetto after a Gelato treat for George and Charlotte.
