They went on to speak to a group of children and their mothers, leaders within the Ukrainian community, representatives across faith communities, volunteers helping the humanitarian effort, and leaders of the Prince’s charities now working to support the relief effort in Ukraine.

The couple listened to a song from the children, before speaking to numerous members of the community who are waiting anxiously for news of their friends and family back home.

Before they left, the Prince and Duchess lit a candle in the cathedral and laid sunflowers, the national flower of Ukraine.

The visit follows the Prince’s speech referencing the Ukraine, which warned that freedom is under attack “in the most unconscionable way” in Ukraine and promised“solidarity” with all those “resisting brutal aggression”.

The Prince, who once likened Russian President Putin to Hitler, became the most senior member of the Royal Family to speak out in support of Ukraine on Tuesday when he called for Britain to take a stand.

Speaking at the ceremony to mark Southend becoming a city, the Prince paid tribute to murdered local MP Sir David Amess, speaking of the “precious” values at stake when “the appalling suffering and devastation” of violence is chosen.    

“What we saw in the terrible tragedy in Southend was an attack on democracy on open society, on freedom itself,” he said.

“We are seeing those same values under attack today in Ukraine in the most unconscionable way.