King Charles will welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his Sandringham estate on Sunday.
The 76-year-old monarch will host the Ukrainian leader at his Norfolk country retreat amid growing trans-Atlantic tensions.
The meeting comes just a day after Zelensky’s public disagreement with US President Donald Trump in the Oval Office on Friday.
Zelensky arrived in the UK today ahead of a European defence summit hosted by Prime Minister Keir Starmer.
King Charles will welcome Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky to his Sandringham estate tomorrow
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A spokesman for the Ukrainian President confirmed: “Tomorrow (Sunday), there will be a series of bilateral meetings, including one with King Charles III and the European leaders’ meeting on supporting Ukraine.”
The royal welcome was reportedly planned before Friday’s dramatic clash between Trump and Zelensky in Washington DC.
The King has previously expressed strong support for Ukraine following Russia’s “unprovoked attack”.
Insiders revealed to The Sun the meeting was scheduled before the Trump-Zelensky row and is not a reaction to it.
The meeting follows Trump accepting an invitation from King Charles for an “unprecedented” second State Visit. Trump has described the monarch as a “wonderful man.”
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One source told the publication: “Zelensky was always due to be in the UK this weekend and so a meeting with the King was pencilled in.”
Other sources note that while Charles and Zelensky share a close friendship, all meetings between world leaders require Foreign Office approval.
It’s unclear what topics the King and President will discuss during their meeting.
The meeting follows Trump accepting an invitation from King Charles for an “unprecedented” second State Visit, with Trump describing the monarch as a “wonderful man”.
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King Charles previously shook hands with president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, during his visit to Britain for a government summit
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Charles has been forthright in his support for Ukraine since the invasion began.
Last year, he praised “the determination and strength of the Ukrainian people” on the second anniversary of the conflict.
The King said: “Despite the tremendous hardship and pain inflicted upon them, Ukrainians continue to show the heroism with which the world associates them so closely.”
He added: “Theirs is true valour, in the face of indescribable aggression.”