At a Glance
- The Royal Family X account posted King Charles’ Jan. 16 message on Ukraine in the wrong order
- Deputy PM David Lammy later read the correct sequence in Kyiv
- The mishap is the latest in a handful of recent palace social-media errors
- Why it matters: It shows even the famously polished royal comms machine can slip, offering a rare glimpse behind the curtain
King Charles’ office has made a rare social-media misstep. On Jan. 16, the Royal Family X account shared the monarch’s statement marking the first anniversary of the 100 Year Partnership between the United Kingdom and Ukraine. The message, split across two slides, was uploaded in reverse order, leaving the second half of the text to appear first.
The Mix-Up
The slides carried the royal coat of arms and the King’s traditional “Charles R” signature. Users scrolling through the post first saw the closing thoughts, followed by the greeting and opening lines. While the text itself was intact, the jumbled sequence disrupted the flow intended by the 77-year-old monarch.
Such errors are unusual for palace accounts. Previous slip-ups have included typos in pregnancy announcements and broken hyperlinks. None drew major backlash, but each prompted quiet internal reviews.
The Correct Text
Clarity came hours later in Kyiv. Addressing a 100 Year Partnership event, Deputy Prime Minister David Lammy quoted the King’s words in their intended order:
“As we celebrate the first anniversary of the 100-Year Partnership between the United Kingdom and Ukraine, I do pray that the flourishing bonds between our two countries may bring some hope and moral support at this most difficult time. Ukraine’s most valiant strength in the face of such appalling hardship and pain is an extraordinary example to the world, and I am constantly impressed by the sheer bravery, courage and resilience shown by the Ukrainian people.”
“As we also look ahead to the fourth anniversary of the full-scale invasion of your beloved country – a time of great anguish, I know, for many families across Ukraine and the world – my wife [Queen Camilla] and I continue to keep you all in our heartfelt thoughts and prayers.”
“I wish, above all, to convey my profound hope that Ukraine can achieve a just and lasting peace that safeguards its security, sovereignty and prosperity, in a way that Ukrainians deserve. We stand with you.”
Lammy’s recitation confirmed the palace’s intended order, effectively correcting the online version without deleting the post.
A Longstanding Partnership
The U.K.-Ukraine 100 Year Partnership was signed in January 2025. It pledges deeper military, economic and cultural links for future generations. Britain remains among Kyiv’s key allies, supplying weapons and training troops since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022.
King Charles has met President Volodymyr Zelenskyy three times in 2025, most recently at Windsor Castle in October. Each visit underscored London’s commitment to Ukrainian sovereignty.
Royal Solidarity Trips
Other family members have also shown support. Princess Anne toured Kyiv in September to meet families affected by the conflict. Prince William visited Polish troops on Ukraine’s border in March 2023. Prince Harry traveled to Ukraine twice in 2025, meeting wounded service personnel in April and September.
The online gaffe did not overshadow these gestures. Within minutes of Lammy’s speech, analysts and media had pieced together the correct order, turning the minor blunder into a teachable moment on the speed of modern information cycles.
Palace Protocol
Royal communications are typically triple-checked. Drafts circulate among private-secretary offices, digital teams and occasionally the monarch himself. The Jan. 16 incident suggests a last-minute swap or scheduling pressure, though palace sources have not detailed the cause.
Deleting and reposting would have drawn more attention, so staff left the reversed slides online once Lammy’s remarks provided context. The approach reflects the palace’s broader strategy: correct without amplifying.
Public Reaction
Comment threads swung from gentle teasing to praise for swift clarification. Ukrainians expressed gratitude for the King’s consistent support, while British users joked about “royal typos” trending alongside weather reports.
No formal complaint was issued by Kyiv. A Ukrainian embassy spokesperson simply retweeted Lammy’s video, adding a blue-and-yellow heart emoji.
Key Takeaways
- The Royal Family X account posted King Charles’ Ukraine message in the wrong order on Jan. 16
- Deputy PM David Lammy revealed the correct sequence later that day in Kyiv
- The episode is one of few recent social-media errors by palace staff
- Despite the mix-up, the monarch’s support for Ukraine remains unequivocal
- The partnership marks its first anniversary amid continued Russian aggression
The brief online stumble highlighted both the reach and the risks of instant publishing, yet ultimately reinforced the strength of U.K.-Ukraine ties the King set out to honor.
