Prince William’s visit had to be kept secret for security reasons until he left the Rzeszow military base, which is 100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
Prince William traveled incognito to Poland to “personally thank” Polish and British troops for their support of Ukraine.
The Prince of Wales visited military bases in Rzeszow, just 100 kilometers (62 miles) from the Ukrainian border, the closest a senior member of the Royal Family has ever been to a war zone.
The visit was kept secret until the prince had left the base for security reasons.
Prince William met with the Polish defense minister and Polish Territorial Defense Force troops to learn about their support for Ukraine. He praised their “passion” and “determination to defend our shared freedoms.”
Reflecting on the country’s humanitarian response, he wrote about the “inspiring humanity” of Polish citizens.
“You’ve opened your homes and your hearts,” he said.
The prince also met British soldiers based in the area, asking about their experiences working in Poland and supporting Ukraine.
Most Western weapons arrive in Rzeszow before being shipped to Ukraine.
Since the Russian invasion began, billions of pounds of weapons and ammunition have passed through the US-led hub.
Prince William is also visiting Warsaw and a center that has assisted Ukrainian families who have fled the conflict.
On the front lines of the humanitarian crisis, the center is a refuge for 300 women and children from Ukraine.
Prince William will lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw as part of his two-day trip. This echoes the 1996 wreath-laying by the late Queen and Duke of Edinburgh.
The Prince of Wales is also scheduled to meet with Polish President Andrzej Duda at the Presidential Palace, where he will express the “deep relationship” between the two nations.
The purpose of the government-planned visit is to demonstrate solidarity with troops supporting Ukraine. During the same week that the Chinese president visited the Kremlin, it also sends a strong message to Russia.
Although members of the Royal Family cannot get involved in politics directly, their “soft power” has significant influence.
In February, the King hosted Volodymyr Zelenskyy at Buckingham Palace during his unexpected visit to the United Kingdom.
