‘There are no smiles, just horror and sorrow in the eyes of every Ukrainian woman’: Wife of Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK chokes back tears in International Women’s Day speech at Clarence House and says, ‘We have to count the death toll of our people’
- Inna Prystaiko was one of many women invited to Camilla’s event on Tuesday
- She became emotional speaking of children having to flee her home country
- Ms Prystaiko donned yellow and blue ribbon broach while chatting with Camilla
- Click here for MailOnline’s liveblog with the latest updates on the Ukraine crisis
The wife of Ukraine’s ambassador to the UK said there are ‘no smiles, just horror’ in the ‘eyes of every Ukrainian woman’ during a moving speech at Clarence House on Tuesday.
A tearful Inna Prystaiko spoke of the heartbreak facing every ‘woman, mother and wife’ in her home country, which has been under attack from Vladimir Putin’s forces for almost two weeks now.
Ms Prystaiko, wife of Vadym Prystaiko, delivered her emotional message to mark International Women’s Day at a reception organised by the Duchess of Cornwall.
She was one of many leading women from the worlds of art, politics and business to be invited to Camilla’s home to mark the annual occasion – including Spice Girl Melanie Brown and The Crown’s Emerald Fennell.
Struggling to hold back tears, she said: ‘Today there are no smiles and no peace, just horror and sorrow in the eyes of every Ukrainian woman, mother and wife.’
She added: ‘Now we have to count the death toll of our people and watch their frightened, crying children who are forced to flee their native land with their mothers and sisters, leaving their fathers to defend our country.’
A tearful Inna Prystakio spoke of the heartbreak facing every ‘woman, mother and wife’ in her home country, which has been under attack from Vladimir Putin’s forces for almost two weeks now. (Pictured with Camilla on Tuesday)
Ms Prystaiko, who donned a yellow and blue ribbon broach, representing the Ukraine flag, was pictured visibly upset while talking to Camilla at the event (pictured)
Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall embraces Inna Prystaiko, wife of Ukrainian Ambassador to the United Kingdom Vadym Prystaiko, following a visit to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral on March 2, 2022
Ms Prystaiko, who donned a yellow and blue ribbon broach, representing the Ukraine flag, was pictured visibly upset while talking to Camilla at the event.
It came after the pair shared an emotional embrace during a visit to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral in London last week.
Since then, hundreds of civilians – including children – are reported to have been killed while trying to flee Russia’s 13-day onslaught.
Attempts in recent days at creating ‘humanitarian corridors’ under ceasefire have repeatedly failed, with the Russians accused of continuing to shell as innocent bystanders attempted to make it to safety.
Speaking at the women’s event today, Camilla, president of the Women of the World Festival being staged this weekend, said ‘vast strides’ still need to be taken towards greater equality and told her guests: ‘We will need more than 135 years to close the gender gap worldwide.’
The Duchess of Cornwall also came face to face with her younger self when she met the actress who played her in the acclaimed TV series The Crown.
Much has been written about whether the royal family are happy, or not, about their portrayals in the Netflix series, but the duchess seemed pleased to see her TV double.
She was one of many leading women from the worlds of art, politics and business to be invited to Camilla’s home to mark the annual occasion – including former Spice Girl Melanie Brown (pictured chatting with Camilla) and The Crown’s Emeral Fennell.
Fennell said about their encounter: ‘It was absolutely delightful.
‘She is such an impressive person, it was fittingly nice to meet her today on International Women’s Day because she does so much for so many particularly female-centred charities.
‘I was nervous I might be thrown in the tower but so far so good.’
On Camilla, she added: ‘She’s been in the spotlight for a long time and has always weathered it with a lot of grace and good humour.’
The duchess and the actress chatted for a few minutes but when asked about the conversation Fennell remained tight-lipped and replied with a smile: ‘You know what – I’m going to be very discreet, because if I’ve learnt anything it’s ‘loose lips sink ships’.
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