Prince William Makes Surprise Trip to Poland To Visit British Troops Under Tight Security

 Prince William visits Poland in a surprise trip

His Royal Highness Prince William, the heir to the British throne, and the newly-minted Prince of Wales made an unannounced trip to Poland in a rare appearance overseas related to military operations.

The Prince of Wales left Britain on Wednesday, March 22, to meet British and Polish troops stationed near the Ukrainian-Polish border. He first visited the 3rd Brigade Territorial Defense Force base in Rzeszów, where he met Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak.

Prince William visits Poland in a surprise trip
Prince William visits troops in Poland

He praised their “cooperation in support of the people of Ukraine and their freedom.” He also spoke to British and Polish soldiers about the strong comradeship that had formed since they started working together.

The Prince of Wales then met members of the British Armed Forces to learn more about how they have been collaborating with their Polish counterparts in delivering operations supporting Ukraine.

Prince William visits Poland in a surprise trip
Prince William in southern Poland

Landing in the Polish capital of Warsaw, Prince William said in a statement that it was “fantastic” to be back in Poland.

“Our nations have strong ties. Through our cooperation in support of the people of Ukraine and their freedom, which are also our freedoms and yours, these ties are further strengthened,” The Prince of Wales said.

Prince William visits Poland in a surprise trip
Prince William meets British and Polish troops

Usually, the royals' public engagement and activities are announced in advance, however, there are instances when their engagements are under wraps and not publicized due to security issues. So Prince William's trip was not announced due to the danger of becoming the target of threats.

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

Prince William visits Poland in a surprise trip
Prince William meets Ukrainian refugees

After his military engagements in southern Poland, the Prince of Wales traveled to Warsaw, the capital of Poland, to visit an office block that had been converted into an accommodation center, housing about 300 Ukrainian women and children who have fled the war.

Prince William visits Poland in a surprise trip

Prince William then met refugees and community volunteers and saw how the Ukrainians remained positive amidst the difficulties of leaving their homeland and source of living, to settle in a foreign country

Prince William visits Poland in a surprise trip

On Thursday, His Royal Highness will lay a wreath at the Polish capital's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, where his late grandparents, Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh also laid a wreath during their state visit in 1996.

While in the capital, he would also make a courtesy visit to 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.

The Prince of Wales will conclude his Polish visit with a trip to a local food hall where he is expected to meet young Ukrainian refugees who have settled in Warsaw.

Updated:

The Prince of Wales met the local community and the young Ukrainian refugees who have settled in Warsaw, Poland. 

Prince William meets young Ukrainian refugees
The Prince of Wales meets young Ukrainian refugees in Warsaw 

Prince William meets young Ukrainian refugees
Prince William meets young Ukrainian refugees in Warsaw 

He also made a courtesy visit to Andrzej Sebastian Duda, the incumbent Polish president. He is Poland's president since 2015.

Princw William and Polish president
Prince William meets Polish president, Andrzej Sebastian Duda

Prince William meets Polish president
Prince William meets Polish president, Andrzej Sebastian Duda
Prince William laid a wreath in Warsaw Poland
Prince William laid a wreath in Warsaw 

The Prince of Wales also laid a wreath of flowers in memory to those who lost their lives fighting for the war. He also thanked to those who have served around the world. 

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