The Visit of the Prince of Wales to Ukraine in 1996

Prince Charles greeted at the airport in Kyiv by three women in a traditional Ukrainian costume, 11/4/96.
Photo (c) Getty Images / John Stillwell.

The prince speaking to young academics at the Mohyla Academy, 11/4/96.
Photo (c) Getty Images / Tim Graham.

Ukrainian youths hold posters of the Prince of Wales during his visit, 11/4/96.
Photo (c) Getty Images / Tim Graham.

Prince Charles receives a salute from a Ukrainian solider at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, 11/4/96.
Photo (c) Getty Images / Tim Graham.

In November 1996, the Prince of Wales visited Ukraine for two days as part of a nine day tour of formerly Soviet occupied countries. Prince Charles began his visit on Monday, 4 November, when he arrived in Kyiv, then known as Kiev, the nation's capital. He was met at Boryspil International Airport by Hennadiy Udovenko, then Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine. As part of that day's schedule, the heir to the British throne took a wreath to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Glory Square, which is dedicated to the Ukrainian soldiers who died fighting against the Nazis in World War II. The prince visited elderly and ill persons at the Novo-Belichi Resident Hospital. Prince Charles participated in a Prince of Wales Business Leaders Forum with businesspeople and entrepreneurs at the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy; he was met at its entrance by a large group of students carrying photos of the prince and welcoming banners, one of which read: "Dear Prince Charles, You Are The Best Prince We Have Ever Seen." During the business seminar, the Prince of Wales noted, "It is only too clear to all of us that the countries of the former Soviet Union are at an historic crossroads and urgently need the partnership of the West to tackle environmental problems and to alleviate the disillusionment of their young people. If what we call free market systems are to be sustainable in the long run, international management must share its management skills." On Monday evening, Prince Charles attended a dinner given by President Leonid Kuchma at the Mariinskyi Palace.

Prince Charles and local youth greeting one another in Sevastopol, 11/5/96.
Photo (c) Getty Images / Tim Graham.

The prince at the Battle Balaclava lookout, 11/5/96.
Photo (c) Getty Images / Chip Hires. 

The Prince of Wales on the grounds of Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv, 11/5/96.
Photo (c) Getty Images / Tim Graham.

On 5 November, the second day of his visit, Prince Charles traveled to Sevastopol in the region of Crimea in southern Ukraine. While there, the prince went to see the historical markers to the Battle of Balaclava, a battle that took place during the Crimean War in 1854. Balaclava witnessed the ill-fated Charge of the Light Brigade. Later that day, the Prince of Wales returned to Kyiv, where he was given a tour of Saint Sophia Cathedral. Prince Charles then departed Ukraine for Turkmenistan.