Prince William under fire over ‘alien’ Ukraine war comments

A close associate of Prince Harry’s has lashed out at Prince William after the royal said bloodshed in Ukraine was “alien to Europe”.

Prince William has been caught in a social media storm after he was reported saying the bloodshed in Ukraine was “alien to Europe”, but was also reported as saying it was unlike conflicts in Asia and Africa.

His reported comparison received a torrent of criticism online, but the journalist who filed the original story later retracted any reference to Africa or Asia.

The Duke of Cambridge said witnessing war in Europe feels “alien” and “unfathomable.”

The comments were made duringthe Cambridges’ visit to the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London on Wednesday.

Prince William and Kate Middleton during a visit to the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London. Picture: AFP

“Everyone is horrified by what they are seeing. It’s really horrifying. The news every day, it’s just, it’s almost unfathomable. For our generation, it’s very alien to see this in Europe. We’re all right behind you. We’re thinking about you. We feel so useless,” Prince William said, according to Robert Jobson, royal editor at the Evening Standard.

PA media and other outlets mistakenly reported William as saying that British people were more used to seeing war in Asia and Africa. Richard Palmer, the Royal Rota reporter who is said to have given PA the paraphrased quote, has apologised on Twitter.

The Duke of Cambridge on war in Europe. He doesn’t appear to have compared it to conflicts in Africa and Asia. In the chaos, a remark he made was misheard, starting a social media storm. Apologies for reporting that online. https://t.co/zdfaCJFFLf

— Richard Palmer (@RoyalReporter) March 10, 2022

The misquoted comments received criticism online before the retraction was made.

Royal author, and close friend of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, Omid Scobie, wrote on Twitter that Prince William’s comments weren’t factually correct.

“Europe has seen some of the bloodiest conflict in the past two centuries — Balkans, Yugoslavia, Germany and Kosovo to name a few. But sure, let’s normalise war and death in Africa and Asia,” he wrote.

During the visit, Prince William and Kate Middleton wore Ukrainian yellow and blue solidarity badges and delivered trays of chocolate brownies and granola bars for the volunteers.

ROYAL COUPLE’S SURPRISING UKRAINE MOVE

The couple had shown solidarity with Ukraine during a visit to a Ukrainian cultural centre in London.

Dressed in an Alexander McQueen blue sweater, and sporting blue and yellow badges representing Ukraine’s flag, he Kate appeared to fight back tears over the crisis, alongside her husband Prince William, who insisted: “We are all behind you.”

The royal couple learned about the extraordinary efforts being made to support the country’s people around the world as Russian President Vladimir Putin continues his attack on the nation.

The couple met members of the Ukrainian community and volunteers, and brought trays of homemade chocolate brownies and granola bars with them from Kensington Palace to give to volunteers.

The royal couple were visibly moved by the visit. Picture: AFP

The Cambridges spoke to Saleh Saeed, CEO of the Disasters Emergency Committee, to hear about the ongoing Ukraine Humanitarian Appeal.

They also learned how the public can best support the besieged country while sorting and packaging donated items.

The royal couple heard about the services offered at the social club, and were shown boxes of donations collected to help those in need.

Prince William and Kate, who have donated to the Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) appeal, viewed the piles of donations in boxes being collected at the centre on Wednesday local time.

The couple viewed boxes of donations to be sent from London to Ukraine. Picture: AFP

They also heard how there had been specific requests for medicines for hospitals in Ukraine, as they were shown the large amount of pharmaceutical goods amassed in the centre.

Prince William and Kate previously said they stand with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky and “all of the nation’s people” during Russia’s invasion.

Over the past two weeks, communities and organisations here in the UK have come together to provide vital support to Ukrainians here in Britain and across Europe. (1/4) pic.twitter.com/Smpt48X5og

— The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge (@KensingtonRoyal) March 9, 2022

In a tweet personally signed off with their initials, they wrote: “In October 2020 we had the privilege to meet President Zelensky 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.”

The royal couple visit the Ukrainian Cultural Centre in London. Picture: Getty Images

Kate sported a yellow and blue badge in support of Ukraine. Picture: Getty Images

The royal couple were thanked by Mr Zelensky and his wife after the royals said they stood with them in their fight.

The supportive message from the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge was sent on February 26 as Putin’s forces bombarded the country.

After their statement was posted to Twitter, Mr Zelensky and his wife Olena said they were “grateful” for the rare political comment from the royal couple. They added the support was a boost as Ukraine continued to fight off Russia’s invasion.

“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,” Mr Zelensky said. “Good will triumph.”

– with The Sun