Ukraine’s first lady Olena Zelenska has been welcomed to Downing Street by Rishi Sunak’s wife Akshata Murty.

Embracing at the door to Number 10, the pair turned to the cameras, held hands and waved before entering the building.

After a private meeting, the first ladies entered the Pillared Room of Number 10 for a rendition of the Ukrainian national anthem, performed by the Royal Opera House Songs for Ukraine Chorus – a choir made up of Ukrainian singers affected by the war.

Introduced by Ms Murty as a “special, special moment”, Mrs Zelenska stood with hand on heart as the pair listened to the chorus, most of whom were wearing traditional embroidered shirts called vyshyvanka.

Ukraine’s first lady had tears in her eyes as she later heard a member of the choir describe the kindness of the Royal Opera House.

The Ukrainian Chorus member, whose father was a singer before being called up to fight, described the choir as “a dream” and an “amazing opportunity”.

“Thank you so much to the Royal Opera House”, she said, adding: “They let us spread our wings. I am so grateful.”

On the camaraderie offered by the chorus, she said: “The choir, I found friends here. It was so important to find this family.”

Mrs Murty and Mrs Zelenska last met outside Number 10 in May last year, during a visit which saw Ukraine’s first lady attend the King’s coronation at Westminster Abbey.

Earlier yesterday, Mrs Zelenska met the Queen at Clarence House.

She and Camilla were pictured in conversation as they sat in the Garden Room, with their meeting coming just days after the second anniversary of the Russian invasion of Ukraine.