Queen Camilla has urged Britain to “stand up to tyranny” as she expressed hope that the country’s determination could help bring an end to the war in Ukraine. Speaking at an awards dinner in the City of London, she reflected on the need to pursue peace with the same commitment displayed by the Armed Forces throughout history. Her remarks come as President Vladimir Putin insists Ukraine must surrender territory in exchange for a ceasefire, while the United States seeks a negotiated settlement.
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In her speech, the Queen paid tribute to the antecedents of The Rifles, of which she is colonel-in-chief, who fought alongside European allies during the Crimean War. She noted that recent commemorations of the 80th anniversaries of Victory in Europe and Victory over Japan had highlighted a shared message from veterans: peace must be pursued with unwavering resolve. Drawing a link between past and present conflicts, she expressed hope that Britain’s determination would again aid the pursuit of peace in the same region.
Her comments came during a celebration of the achievements of The Rifles at the Guildhall. The event also followed renewed statements from President Putin, who claimed Russia was prepared to fight “until the last Ukrainian dies” unless President Volodymyr Zelensky agrees to cede the entire Donbas. A new US-backed peace proposal—developed with Ukraine and European allies—is now expected to be discussed directly between Donald Trump and Mr Zelensky, though Russia has insisted any agreement must include Ukrainian territorial concessions.
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The Queen also took the opportunity to thank her equerry, Major Ollie Plunket, for his three years of service as he prepares to hand over to Major Rob Treasure. Camilla attended the dinner alongside the regiment’s Royal Colonels, including the Duke and Duchess of Gloucester and the Duchess of Edinburgh. She became Colonel-in-Chief of The Rifles in 2020, succeeding the late Duke of Edinburgh, and shares historic links to the regiment through her late father, Major Bruce Shand, who served with the Desert Rats.
