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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Jennifer Newton

William and Charles join Queen in making 'generous' donations to Ukraine charity appeal

Prince William and Prince Charles are the latest royals to make "generous" donations to an appeal helping those fleeing the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

It comes less than a day after it was revealed that the Queen had made a "generous donation" to the appeal run by the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC).

After launching in the UK yesterday, the charity effort has already raised £55million.

The charity, made up of 15 leading aid agencies, urged the public to keep the momentum for the cause going as it revealed that “hundreds of thousands” of people had contributed within hours of the appeal’s launch.

The Queen has also made a donation to the DEC appeal (POOL/AFP via Getty Images)

Among them was the Queen, who made a “generous donation” on Thursday, along with the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Cambridge, the DEC said.

The total figure includes £20million donated by the Government as part of its UK Aid Match initiative – the largest commitment ever made to a DEC appeal through the scheme.

The money will go towards helping those who have fled their homes with food, water, shelter, medical assistance and trauma care.

Charles and Camilla at the Ukrainian Cathedral in Central London in Wednesday (REUTERS)

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It comes after both William and Charles have spoken out to express their solidarity with the Ukrainian people amid the Russian invasion.

On Wednesday, Charles praised the "extraordinary bravery and fortitude" of the people of Ukraine in the face of "truly terrible aggression" from President Vladimir Putin ’s regime.

The prince and wife Camilla visited the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in Central London, with Charles handed a homemade poster from a schoolgirl that said 'Stop Putin'.

William and Kate meet the President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, and his wife, Olena in 2020 (PA)

During the visit, he said: "He said: "I must say my wife and I have been deeply moved by everything we have heard today during our visit and above all by the extraordinary bravery, generosity and fortitude of the Ukrainian community in the face of truly terrible aggression.

"Our thoughts and prayers, however inadequate they may be are with all of you at this most critical time."

Refugees queue for miles at the Uzhhorod border crossing in Ukraine (Daily Mirror/Andy Stenning)

It came a day after he also spoke out about Russia's “brutal” invasion of Ukraine during a trip to Southend.

Meanwhile, last Saturday William and wife Kate issued a rare, personal message saying they stood with the people of Ukraine.

They wrote: "In October 2020 we had the privilege to meet President Zelenskyy and the First Lady to learn of their hope and optimism for Ukraine's future.

"Today we stand with the President and all of Ukraine's people as they bravely fight for that future."

And on Tuesday, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky took to Twitter to say he and his wife Olena Zelenska were grateful for their support.

He wrote: "Olena and I are grateful to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge that, at this crucial time, when Ukraine is courageously opposing Russia ’s invasion, they stand by our country and support our brave citizens. Good will triumph.”

Last week, Prince Harry and Meghan Markle also put out a statement saying they "stand with the people of Ukraine".

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