Queen Elizabeth Wishes Ukraine a Happy Independence Day amid 'Most Challenging Year'

Queen Elizabeth.Photo: Andrew Milligan/Pool/Getty Queen Elizabethis thinking of Ukraine. The 96-year-old monarch wished the Eastern European country well on their Independence Day Wednesday, over three decades since the nation broke from the Soviet Union in 1991. “On their 31st anniversary of Independence, Her Majesty The Queen congratulates Ukrainians,” the British Embassy Kyiv wrote onTwitter, quoting the two following messages as an “address to the President of Ukraine.” According to the embassy,Queen Elizabethsaid, “It gives me great pleasure to send Your Excellency and the people of Ukraine my warmest greetings on the celebration of your Independence Day.

Queen Elizabeth's 4 Children Stand Solemn Vigil at Their Mother's Coffin in Historic Moment

Queen Elizabeth’s four children are standing a symbolic watch. On Friday evening,King Charles III,Princess Anne,Prince AndrewandPrince Edwardcame together at their mother’s coffin for an emotionalVigil of the Princesat Westminster Hall. Just after 7:30 p.m. local time, the siblings joined the King’s Body Guards to ceremoniously protect the Queen’s coffin as it laid in state, draped in the Royal Standard and topped with theImperial Crown. After taking their positions — King Charles at one end, Prince Andrew on the other with Princess Anne and Prince Edward on either side — they bowed their heads.

Queen Elizabeth's Best Quotes Through the Years

01of 28Queen Elizabeth.The Royal Family/YouTube"It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change."—in her 2019 Christmas broadcast 01of 28 Queen Elizabeth.The Royal Family/YouTube “It’s worth remembering that it is often the small steps, not the giant leaps, that bring about the most lasting change.” —in her 2019 Christmas broadcast 02of 28Queen Elizabeth at the engagement in Windsor Castle on October 19.

Queen Elizabeth's Christmas Traditions Included a 'Personalized Stocking' for Each Corgi and a Dog-Friendly Feast!

Queen Elizabeth and one of her corgis in 1952.Photo: UPI/Getty Queen Elizabeth’slove of corgisis well documented, but few know how her beloved dogs would celebrate Christmas. Caroline Perry, the author ofThe Corgi and the Queen, tells PEOPLE exclusively that special arrangements were made for the late monarch’s corgis to make their holiday extra special. “The late Queen described her corgis as ‘family,’ and she didn’t leave them out during the holidays!

Queen Elizabeth's Coffin Seen for First Time as It Travels from Balmoral Castle to Edinburgh

Queen Elizabeth’s coffin has begun its journey. The monarch’s oak coffin left Balmoral Castle, where she died on Sept. 8, on Sunday morning around 10 a.m. local time. Draped in the Royal Standard of Scotland and a wreath of flowers picked from the Balmoral estate including dahlias, sweet peas, phlox, white heather and pine fir, it began its six-hour drive south to the Palace of Holyroodhouse in the Scottish capital of Edinburgh.