Prince William placed a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Warsaw on Thursday, March 23, 2023, paying his respects to the Poles who have lost their lives in past wars.
The British Prince made a surprise visit to Poland on Wednesday, March 22, 2023. The heir to the throne’s visit to Poland underscores Britain’s support for an ally on the front line of efforts to help refugees displaced by Russia’s war in Ukraine and to assist the Ukrainian military in fighting off the invasion.
Prince William laid a wreath in Poland’s national colors, white and red, and bowed his head solemnly at the memorial to the fallen Poles. He is expected to meet next with President Andrzej Duda, one of several meetings on a two-day trip to Poland.
On Wednesday, Prince William began his visit by meeting with British and Polish troops in Rzeszow, a city of 200,000 people in southeastern Poland that has become a hub for shipments of military and humanitarian aid bound for Ukraine.
Located just 65 kilometers (40 miles) from the Ukrainian border, Rzeszow is also a key transit point for refugees. Prince William expressed gratitude to the troops.
“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.″
Prince William
Prince William later traveled to a center in Warsaw that houses about 300 recent arrivals from Ukraine, meeting Ukrainians and playing table tennis with children. He praised the strong ties between the people of the U.K. and Poland, and the cooperation undertaken in support of Ukraine.
“I also want to pay tribute to the inspiring humanity of the Polish people. You have opened your hearts as much as your homes.″
Prince William
The Prince’s planned meetings with refugees and volunteers also shine the royal spotlight on efforts to shelter the hundreds of thousands of Ukrainians who have settled in Poland over the past year.“Our nations have strong ties,″ William said on Wednesday.
“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.″
Prince William
U.K; One Of The Most Outspoken Supporters Of Bolstering NATO’s Eastern Flank
The U.K. has been one of the most outspoken supporters of bolstering NATO’s eastern flank in the face of Russia’s aggression.
The country sent troops to Poland and the Baltic states and provided more than 2.3 billion pounds ($2.8 billion) of military aid to Ukraine. It also has pledged 220 million pounds ($269 million) of humanitarian assistance.
Deploying the popular 40-year-old Prince, a military veteran who also worked as a civilian air-sea rescue pilot, offers a more personal touch.
While British political leaders have visited Poland regularly to declare their support for NATO and the Ukrainian cause, a senior royal like Prince William is a symbol of the nation who can thank military personnel for their service without the baggage of party politics.
Prince William, who voiced support for Ukraine since the start of Russia’s invasion more than a year ago, last traveled to Poland in 2017 with his wife, Catherine, the Princess of Wales.
According to the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, an independent nonprofit economic research institute and think tank based in Germany, Poland has pledged 2.4 billion euros’ ($2.6 billion) worth of military aid to Ukraine, making it the third largest donor of military aid next only to the U.S. and U.K.
READ ALSO: Indian Opposition Leader Sentenced To Jail For Defamation
