Prince Charles' rare statement on Ukraine invasion: 'Attack on democracy'

Prince Charles has made a rare public statement on the crisis in Ukraine in a rare move for a member of the royal family.

The Prince of Wales is visiting Southend-on-Sea with wife Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall, where he presented the Freedom of the City, an honour given to a valued member of its community.

He presented the award to local MP David Amess' widow after he was stabbed to death last year in a terror attack while meeting constituents at a weekly public meeting.

During his speech, Charles described Amess' murder as "an attack on democracy".

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"What we saw in the terrible tragedy in Southend was an attack on democracy, on an open society, on freedom itself," he said. "We are seeing those same values under attack today in Ukraine in the most unconscionable way. In the stand we take here, we are in solidarity with all those who are resisting brutal aggression."

Charles' support to share his support of Ukraine comes shortly after both Prince William and Prince Charles released statements.

Harry and wife Meghan Markle shared a statement on their Archewell Foundation website after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion and missile strikes on the country's capital Kyiv.

"Prince Harry and Meghan, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and all of us at Archewell stand with the people of Ukraine against this breach of international and humanitarian law and encourage the global community and its leaders to do the same," their statement read.

Despite the Sussexes receiving heated backlash from social media, Prince William and Kate Middleton also followed suit and released a joint statement.

"In October 2020 we had the privilege to meet President [Volodymyr] Zelensky and the First Lady to learn of their hope and optimism for Ukraine’s future," they wrote. "Today we stand with the President and all of Ukraine’s people as they bravely fight for that future."

Zelensky thanked the royals for their support on Tuesday, writing, "Olena and I are grateful to the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge @RoyalFamily 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."

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