The Prince of Wales has travelled to Warsaw as part of a surprise two-day trip to Poland to thank British and Polish troops for their efforts supporting Ukraine, as well as to learn more about how the country has cared for displaced Ukrainian refugees.
Prince William became the first member of the royal family to meet troops in Poland during a visit that was kept secret until after his arrival. He will also meet the Polish president, Andrzej Duda, while in the country.
At an air defence military base in the south-eastern Polish city of Rzeszów, he thanked British troops who are based roughly an hour’s drive from the Ukrainian border for “defending our freedoms”. He said their work to keep “an eye on” the situation in Ukraine was “really important”.
After arriving at the base on Wednesday afternoon, the prince, dressed casually in a black puffer jacket and trousers, was shown a missile launcher.
Speaking to the soldiers, he said: “I just wanted to come here in person to say thank you for all that you’re doing, keeping everyone safe out here and keeping an eye on what’s going on. So, just a big thank you for what you do on a day-to-day basis.”
He added: “You’re doing a really important job out here and defending our freedoms is really important, and everyone back home thoroughly supports you.”
The base, made up of a coalition of British, Polish and US troops, is helping to support Ukraine.
Major Richard Kaye, who met the prince, said: “We’re here to protect critical national infrastructure in the region. We’re absolutely privileged to host His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales and privileged that he’s chosen to come and visit us.”
William also visited Polish soldiers at the 3rd Brigade Territorial Defence Force base in Rzeszów. He will later travel to an accommodation centre in Warsaw to meet Ukrainian refugees who have found sanctuary in the Polish capital.
Landing in Warsaw, the prince said: “It’s 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.
“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. That’s why this afternoon I visited Rzeszów to meet troops based there to hear their stories and recognise their duty.
“I was struck by their passion as well as their shared determination to defend our shared freedoms.”
The accommodation centre houses about 300 women and children who have arrived in the country recently, providing residents with two meals a day and offers Polish language lessons, employment support, a children’s play area, psychological support and kickboxing classes.
William will hear from residents about their experiences before meeting volunteers. He spoke of wanting to “underline” his continued support and gratitude to the Polish people.
On Thursday, the prince will meet Duda at the presidential palace and visit a local food hall to speak with Ukrainian refugees. He will also lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, a monument dedicated to Polish soldiers who lost their lives in conflict.
The late Queen Elizabeth II and Duke of Edinburgh laid a wreath during their state visit to Poland in 1996. It is William’s first trip to Poland since he visited in 2017 with his wife, the Princess of Wales.
