Kate hosts Ukrainian first lady at Buckingham Palace

Olena Zelenska is in the UK to pay respects on her husband's behalf at Queen Elizabeth II's state funeral

Kate, Princess of Wales, left, speaks with Olena Zelenska, first lady of Ukraine, as she welcomes her to Buckingham Palace in London on Sunday. AFP

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The Princess of Wales has held an audience with the first lady of Ukraine, Olena Zelenska at Buckingham Palace before Queen Elizabeth II's funeral.

The UK government previously declined to confirm that Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s wife would attend.

Ms Zelenska was pictured meeting Kate at the palace on Sunday afternoon.

With purple orchids on display in the background, the pair sat either side of a fireplace on gingham armchairs.

Ms Zelenska visited Westminster Hall to see the queen lying in state earlier in the day.

She made the journey to the UK after her husband took time out from organising his country’s counter-offensive against Russia to sign a book of condolence for the queen.

Rehearsal at dawn for Queen Elizabeth II's funeral - in pictures

An early morning rehearsal took place on Thursday for the funeral of Queen Elizabeth II in London. All photos: PA

The funeral will take place in London on Monday.

A procession down The Mall during the early morning rehearsal.

Members of the military take part.

The procession makes its way through central London as Big Ben looms.

Soldiers outside Westminster Abbey.

The eyes of the world will be on Westminster Abbey.

The UK’s ambassador in Kyiv, Melinda Simmons, said she was “deeply honoured” by Mr Zelenskyy's gesture.

“Grateful to the president for taking the time to do this given all else that is happening in [Ukraine] at this time,” she said.

Floral tributes to the queen - in pictures

King Charles III and Queen Consort Camilla inspect floral tributes left for his late mother Queen Elizabeth II outside Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. Getty

A picture of Queen Elizabeth is among flowers left by mourners outside Buckingham Palace in London. AFP

Members of the public leave flowers and tributes at The Long Walk gates in front of Windsor Castle in Windsor, England. Getty

Members of the public look at flowers and tributes left in Green Park in London. AFP

Flowers and tributes placed by mourners at the Cambridge gate outside Windsor Castle, west of London. AFP

A child lays flowers in remembrance of Queen Elizabeth outside the Palace of Holyroodhouse in Edinburgh. AP

The meeting with Ms Zelenska follows UK Prime Minister Liz Truss’s earlier audience with King Charles III in the palace’s 1844 Room.

Ms Truss has also continued informal talks with world leaders as hundreds of dignitaries descend on London for Monday’s funeral.

World leaders and royals pay their respects to Queen Elizabeth II - video