RICHARD EDEN: King Charles' favourite godchild India Hicks makes heartfelt journey to become godmother in war-torn Kyiv
As a godchild of King Charles, and a bridesmaid when he married Lady Diana Spencer, India Hicks is used to grand ceremonies.
Now, I hear, the designer has made a heartfelt journey to war-torn Ukraine to become a godmother herself.
India, a granddaughter of the 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, took part in the christening at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the most sacred monastery in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv.
Her godchild is Zakhar, the son of a Ukrainian couple with whom she has become good friends through her work with the disaster relief organisation Global Empowerment Mission.
'One of the team leaders of the front-line areas is Vitaliy Kubushka,' she tells me. 'We have been on several missions together over the past two years, and he and his wife, Olga, have become close friends.
India (right), a granddaughter of the 1st Earl Mountbatten of Burma, took part in the christening at the Kyiv-Pechersk Lavra, the most sacred monastery in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv
Her godchild is Zakhar, the son of a Ukrainian couple with whom she has become good friends through her work with the disaster relief organisation Global Empowerment Mission
As a godchild of King Charles (pictured), and a bridesmaid when he married Lady Diana Spencer, India Hicks is used to grand ceremonies
India said: 'It was a very great honour to have been invited to be the godmother to his second son, Zakhar, at the weekend'
'It was a very great honour to have been invited to be the godmother to his second son, Zakhar, at the weekend.'
India, 56, has been travelling to Kyiv every few months since she became an executive board member of Global Empowerment Mission.
At the party afterwards, she gave a speech in praise of her godson's mother.
'Your husband every week puts himself in danger, and he's there, but you're at home worrying every week,' she told her.
'You are strong. All of these women in war are so strong to be at home. Amazing mothers doing important jobs like giving birth.'
India took her son Amory Flintwood, 24, on the trip and the pair have remained in Ukraine this week to help deliver aid to eastern parts of the country with the charity.
At the party afterwards, India gave a speech in praise of her godson's mother. 'Your husband every week puts himself in danger, and he's there, but you're at home worrying every week,' she told her
India took her son Amory Flintwood, 24, on the trip and the pair have remained in Ukraine this week to help deliver aid to eastern parts of the country with the charity
India, 56, has been travelling to Kyiv every few months since she became an executive board member of Global Empowerment Mission
India wrote on Instagram: 'What an unbelievable honour to be the Godmother of Zakhar. This christening in Ukraine will stay with me forever'
Her own christening was held at St Bartholomew's church in Brightwell Baldwin, Oxfordshire.
'Tea was served after the intimate service,' she later wrote. 'There was a distinguished collection of godparents, which included the future King of England.'
The future king would dutifully send a present to her each Christmas – a gravy boat one year, a saucer the next.
India admits she was not excited by these gifts at the time, but today she is grateful to have a complete set of Thomas Goode fine English china.
India is a fan of hosting big christenings, inviting 1,600 guests to the ceremony for her daughter Domino Flintwood in 2009.
