Kate Middleton 'overwhelmed' by 'Little Ukraine' in Reading

Kate Middleton visited the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre, dubbed ‘Little Ukraine’ by its chairman, to see the emotional and practical support it provides for families fleeing Russia’s invasion.

Among them was Nadia Shcherbyna, 39, and her two children Lukian, 7, and Ian, 10, who spent two days in a bomb shelter near Kyiv before fleeing to Reading in May.

“You cannot remain the same, you cannot be normal after such an experience," Ms Shcherbyna told the Chronicle.

“We are struggling, it’s very hard when you realize someone wants to destroy your nation.”

Kate Middleton, right, and Nadia Shcherbyna and her son Lukian, centre back (Image: NQ)

She told the Princess: “On behalf of all the women [here], we dream to meet our family. It is very dangerous to go to see our family."

Ms Shcherbyna said that with the help of people in the UK and the Ukrainian centre in Reading, she can recover from her experience "a little bit."

Her Royal Highness added it must be hard to find the stepping stones into a new community, to which Ms Shcherbyna said of the centre: “this place is our stepping stone.”

The Princess met with children painting the Ukrainian flag and complimented Ian Shcherbyna on his artwork.

Ian Shcherbyna, 7, right, holds up a painting of the Ukrainian flag and flowers for the Princess of Wales (Image: NQ)

She heard how the centre allows children to continue learning the language and history of Ukraine outside of school, in order to stay connected to their home country.

Kirill Avilov, 14, who is enrolled in a Reading school, had the chance to practice his English with the Princess and told her he was proud to shake her hand.

“All of you are having to learn so much: the new language, culture and environment,” said the Princess.

“I am so overwhelmed by how strong you all are.”

Their strength was bolstered by the work of Antonia Gresko, Chairman of the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre, and his team, such as a putting on a weekly coffee morning to make social connections.

Antonia Gresko, Chairman of the Reading Ukrainian Community Centre (back right) smiles as Kate Middleton receives a posy from Yaroslava Fedorchuk, 4, and her brother Mischa, 8 (Image: NQ)

“In the early days they were very nervous and apprehensive and not being able to speak the language, but they walked in and made contact with other Ukrainians and left the building with a smile on their face,” he said.

Yaroslava Fedorchuk, 4, and her brother Mischa, 8, presented the Princess with a posey on her departure, and she told the chairman that it was “amazing to see the work they were doing” and “an honour to hear from the families first hand.”