Britain’s Prince William made an unannounced visit to Poland on Wednesday to thank British and Polish troops supporting Ukraine and to meet Ukrainians fleeing the conflict with Russia and hear about their experiences, Reuters reported.
Prince William in PolandPhoto: Tim Rook/Shutterstock Editorial/Profimedia
- “I am here because I want to personally thank the Polish and British troops who work in a close and important partnership,” Prince William said in a statement to Polish media.
- “I want to pay tribute to the inspired humanity of the Polish people. You have opened your hearts as well as your homes,” said the heir to the British crown.
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Prince William visited British and Polish troops in Poland and praised them for ‘protecting our freedom’ during a secret mission miles from the Ukrainian border. pic.twitter.com/Knme11s7HU— Rebecca English (@RE_DailyMail) March 22, 2023
Prince William traveled to Rzeszow in southeastern Poland, where he met Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszak and spoke with members of the Polish defense forces and British military personnel stationed in the country, the office said.
The British troops stationed in Poland are part of a NATO force to bolster the eastern flank decided after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
The future king’s trip, which was not made public in advance, took place under heavy security, but his spokesman said William was very keen to visit.
Prince William speaks to Ukrainians who have fled the war
After military duties, the Prince of Wales visited Warsaw to visit an office building that had been converted into a shelter for about 300 Ukrainian women and children who had fled the war.
On Thursday, Prince William will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in the Polish capital, where his grandparents, Elizabeth II and her husband Prince Philip, also laid a wreath during their state visit in 1996. Meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda.
“Tomorrow, when I meet with President Duda, I will reiterate the deep relationship that our two countries share, and my continued support and gratitude to the Polish people,” he announced.
His trip to Poland includes a visit to a local cafeteria, where he greets young Ukrainian refugees who have settled in Warsaw.
Prince William also visited Poland with his wife Kate in 2017.
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