As Zelensky arrives at Chequers to meet Rishi Sunak, what does the inside of the PM’s country home look like?

Even though it is called Chequers, ‘friends’ Rishi Sunak and Ukrainian President Zelensky may have said ‘checkmate’ as they reunited at the prime minister’s country estate on Monday morning.

After the UK acted as host of Eurovision 2023 on behalf of Ukraine over the weekend, where Rishi revealed how ‘disappointed’ he was by the Song Contest bosses declining Zelensky to speak, the country leaders met up to ‘conduct substantive negotiations’ as war continues in Ukraine.

The surprise meeting means Zelensky is the first foreign dignitary to meet Mr Sunak at Chequers and the pair were spotted greeting one another in the grounds surrounding the residence before entering the front door.

As they walked in to talk about delegations, PeopleWorld gives you a glimpse at what they could be looking at inside Chequers:

The Grade I-listed Chequers Estate has served as the prime minister’s country residence since 1921 when it was given by Sir Arthur Lee, an MP during World War One, by a Deed of Settlement.

It has seen famous faces from politics, sport and film grace its halls including the likes of Dame Judi Dench, Donald Trump and David Bowie to name a few - a trio one would never have put together.

Just a two-hour drive from Number 10 in Downing Street, the Buckinghamshire-based residence originally underwent a remodelling process in 1565 when its exterior was plastered and the interiors were updated.

However, before being given to the PM as an official residence as opposed to a weekend retreat, Lee provided an endowment of £100,000 to use for its upkeep and orchestrated another renovation, filling the corridors of the neo-Gothic style home with fine art and furniture as well as key relics including Elizabeth I’s ring and Nelson’s pocket watch.

Outside, the 1,500 acre property has a large drive and manicured gardens while inside, Mr Sunak and Zelensky could be meeting in the long gallery with walls lined with books and two couches flanking a fireplace.

Similar to the Royal official meeting room as seen in Buckingham Palace and dramatized on Netflix's The Crown, Chequers also seems to have a designated room on a slightly smaller scale to the gallery where politicians meet.