The Queen sends secret Ukraine support in surprise London appearance
The Queen broke political neutrality to send a subtle message of support to Ukraine during a surprise appearance on the London subway’s new ‘Elizabeth line’.
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Queen Elizabeth II made a surprise appearance at a new railway line named in her honour with a subtle nod of support for Ukraine amid it’s war with Russia.
On the day Mariupol’s last defenders surrendered from the Asovstal steel works, Her Majesty wore a sunshine yellow wool coat and a matching yellow hat with blue flowers.
It’s the second public display of the colours from Ukraine’s flag following her meeting with Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau in March, when she was flanked by blue and yellow flowers strategically placed in frame.
The 96-year-old monarch has also previously made private yet “generous” donations to battle Ukraine’s looming humanitarian crisis.
She was all smiles at the Paddington Station in London to see the a major new railway that is set to speed up transport links within the city and beyond.
Accompanied by son Prince Edward, the Queen Dressed used a walking stick while taking a lift down the new “Elizabeth line” platform, set to open on May 24.
She was welcomed by Prime Minister Boris Johnson and London Mayor Sadiq Khan in a rare public appearance outside her royal residences.
A Buckingham Palace spokesperson said organisers were informed of the possibility Her Majesty, who had been aware of the upcoming event, might attend.
“In a happy development, Her Majesty The Queen is attending today’s event to mark the completion of the Elizabeth line,” the spokesperson said in a statement.
Due to her ongoing mobility issues, she recently missed the ceremonial opening of parliament on May 10 for only the third time.
Last week she attended two events near her Windsor Castle home, including an equestrian event hosted by Hollywood actors Tom Cruise and Helen Mirren.
But concerns remain over whether she will attend the main events next month for her Platinum Jubilee, marking her 70 years on the throne.
The Elizabeth line is set to open before the long weekend of Platinum Jubilee celebrations from June 2 to 5.
Once completed, the line will run from Reading, around 56 kilometres to the west of London to Shenfield, around 33 kilometres to the east, with the option of stopping at Heathrow Airport.
The line had been due to be completed in 2018 and its budget has spiralled to £18.9 billion (22.4 billion euros, $24 billion).
Transport for London says the new railway line with violet-coloured signage will “transform travel across London and the South East”.
- additional reporting by AFP.
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