On First-Ever Trip To Estonia, Prince William Visits NATO Troops and Praises “Ukrainian Resilience”
On Friday, Prince William met with NATO troops and took part in a field training exercise as part of his historic visit to Estonia.
The prince, who is visiting the country for the first time, is on a two-day trip to highlight the work of British troops in Estonia and learn more about how they are bolstering NATO’s eastern flank as part of Operation Cabrit.
William visited the Mercian Regiment to find out more about how the troops are supporting Ukraine. William is Colonel-in-Chief of the regiment, which is taking over duties in Estonia from the Royal Dragoon Guards.
Prince William, Prince of Wales takes part in field training after the official handover ceremony between The Royal Dragoon Guards and the Mercian Regiment to highlight a transfer of authority at Tapa camp on March 21, 2025 in Tallinn, Estonia.
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The prince, who was there to witness the takeover, served with the Royal Air Force and will one day be Head of the Armed Forces, arrived at the Tapa military base, where nine hundred British troops are stationed, in full military uniform. It is understood that the trip, which highlights the importance of William’s role as Prince of Wales on the world stage, has been planned for six months.
William, who trained and served with the Blues and Royals where he learned to drive tanks, spent the morning training with troops and was photographed taking the controls of a Challenger 2 tank. The images were posted on the Prince and Princess of Wales’ official Instagram page.
Clearly at ease with the soldiers, he asked one member of the 1st Infantry Brigade (Estonia) about the training and joked, “How’s it working with the Brits? You don’t have to say nice things because I’m here.”
UK troops are stationed at the camp as part of NATO’s defenses against Russia. Kensington Palace has said Prince William made the trip to highlight Estonia’s efforts to support Ukraine.
Prince William, Prince of Wales rides in a Challenger 2 tank while visiting British service personnel at the Tapa Army Base, northern Estonia on March 21, 2025. Prince of Wales joins soldiers from the UK and Estonia at Tapa, home to Britain’s largest overseas military deployment, some 140km west of the Russian border.
RAIGO PAJULA/Getty Images
A spokesman for the prince said, “Both the Prince and Princess of Wales have been strong supporters of the Ukrainian community since the conflict began.”
The decision for William to visit Estonia is being seen as further evidence of him fulfilling his role as a global statesman. In March 2023, Prince William made a surprise visit to Rzeszów in southeastern Poland to thank British troops for “defending our freedoms.”
Friday marks the second day of William’s official visit to Estonia. On Thursday, he arrived in Tallinn, the country’s capital, where he met with Estonian president Alar Karis.
Prince William, Prince of Wales and President of Estonia, Alar Karis shake hands at the presidential office on March 20, 2025 in Tallinn, Estonia.
Chris Jackson/Getty Images
The royal also visited The Freedom School, which was established in response to the war in Ukraine to support students in Tallinn. Speaking to students, he praised their resilience saying: “It’s been a very difficult few years for you guys. Everyone sees that. What I love is the Ukrainian resilience is everywhere. You are all very smiley and very strong and very spiritual people. And honestly, that comes across everywhere.”
The prince, who received a warm welcome and was greeted with cheers, also visited a workshop focused on renewable start-ups where he learned about how the country is growing and protecting its energy supply having recently disconnected from the Russian-controlled electricity grid.
Later on Friday, Prince William will be shown new weapons capabilities at the Tapa camp before returning to the UK.
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