UK’s Prince William visits troops in Poland on surprise trip

LONDON – 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 throne travelled to Rzeszow in southeast Poland where he was to meet the country’s Defense Minister, Mariusz Blaszczak, and speak to members of the Polish defense 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.

The royal’s trip, which had not been publicized 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.

Prince William met British Armed Forces in Rzeszow and heard about the work they have been carrying out with the Polish Armed Forces delivering operations in support on March 22, 2023.
via REUTERS

Prince William jokes with members of the British military during his visit to the 3rd Brigade Territorial Defense Force base on March 22, 2023.
Prince William jokes with members of the British military during his visit to the 3rd Brigade Territorial Defense Force base on March 22, 2023.
Getty Images

“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 due 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.


Prince William looks on as Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, Mariusz Blaszczak, makes a speech during the visit to the 3rd Brigade Territorial Defense Force base in Rzeszow on March 22, 2023.
Prince William looks on as Polish Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defense, Mariusz Blaszczak, makes a speech during the visit to the 3rd Brigade Territorial Defense Force base in Rzeszow on March 22, 2023.
Getty Images

Prince William meets members of the Polish military during his visit to the 3rd Brigade Territorial Defense Force base, in Rzeszow, Poland on March 22, 2023.
Prince William meets members of the Polish military during his visit to the 3rd Brigade Territorial Defense Force base, in Rzeszow, Poland on March 22, 2023.
ZUMAPRESS.com

“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.

His trip, William’s first since he travelled there with his wife Kate in 2017, will conclude with a visit to a local food hall where he will greet young Ukrainian refugees who have settled in Warsaw.

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