UK’s Prince William makes surprise visit to troops in Poland near Ukrainian border

The royal’s trip, which had not been publicised in advance, is taking place under tight security, but his spokesperson said William was very keen it went ahead

‘I’m here because I want to personally thank the Polish and British troops working in close and crucial partnership,’ William said

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Britain’s Prince William meets members of the Polish military during a visit to the 3rd Brigade Territorial Defence Force base, that has been heavily involved in providing support to Ukraine. Photo: PA Wire / dpa

Published: 7:29am, 23 Mar 2023

Britain’s Prince William made an unannounced trip to Poland on Wednesday to thank British and Polish troops involved in providing support to Ukraine, before meeting refugees who have fled the conflict with Russia to hear of their experiences.

The heir to the British throne travelled to Rzeszow in southeast Poland where he was to meet the country’s Defence Minister, Mariusz Blaszczak, and speak to members of the Polish defence force and British troops based there, his office said.

The British deployment in Poland is part of a Nato build-up of strength on its eastern flank following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Poland’s defence minister Mariusz Blaszczak, left, and Britain’s Prince William in Rzeszow, southeast Poland on Wednesday. Photo: EPA-EFE

The royal’s trip, which had not been publicised in advance, is taking place under tight security, but his spokesperson said William was very keen it went ahead, and that it was something he had requested.

“I’m here because I want to personally thank the Polish and British troops working in close and crucial partnership,” William said in a statement to Polish media. “I also want to pay tribute to the inspiring humanity of the Polish people. You have opened your hearts as much as your homes.”

After the military engagements, the Prince of Wales is expected to travel to Warsaw to visit an office block which had been converted into an accommodation centre housing about 300 Ukrainian women and children Ukrainians who have fled the war.

On Thursday, the prince will lay a wreath at the Polish capital’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where his late grandparents, Queen Elizabeth and her husband Prince Philip, also laid a wreath during their state visit in 1996, before he has a meeting with the Poland’s President Andrzej Duda.

“Tomorrow, as I meet President Duda, I’ll reiterate the profound relationship shared by our two nations and underline my continued support and gratitude to the Polish people,” he said.