Prince William embarked on an unannounced visit to Poland on Wednesday to express his gratitude to British and Polish troops who are providing support to Ukraine. The prince's visit was kept
under tight security, but his office said that he was keen to thank the Polish and British troops who are working together in close partnership.
The royal's trip began in Rzeszow, in south-east Poland, where he met with the country's Defence Minister, Mariusz Blaszczak, and members of the Polish defence force and British troops who are based in the region. Prince William expressed his gratitude to the troops, who are part of a NATO build-up of strength on the alliance's eastern flank in response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
In a statement to Polish media, Prince William said, "I'm here because I want to personally thank the Polish and British troops working in close and crucial partnership. 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 his military engagements, the prince travelled to Warsaw, where he visited an office block that has been converted into an accommodation centre for around 300 Ukrainian women and children who have fled the conflict with Russia. The duke also met with refugees to hear about their experiences.
On Thursday, Prince William is scheduled to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw, where his grandparents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, laid a wreath during their state visit in 1996. He will also meet with Poland's President, Andrzej Duda, and reiterate the close relationship between the two nations.
The prince's visit comes as tensions continue to escalate between Ukraine and Russia, with Ukraine accusing Russia of amassing troops on its border. The UK has been one of the countries providing support to Ukraine, with British troops training Ukrainian soldiers and providing equipment and other supplies.
Prince William's visit also highlights the important role that Poland has played in the conflict, both in terms of providing support to Ukraine and in terms of its strategic location on NATO's eastern flank. The UK and Poland have a long-standing relationship, with close ties in areas such as defence, trade and culture.
Overall, Prince William's visit was a testament to the close partnership between the UK, Poland and other NATO countries, as they work together to support Ukraine and promote regional security and stability. Photo by Frankie Fouganthin, Wikimedia commons.