The Prince of Wales has been on training exercises in Estonia to show his support for troops involved in the Army’s biggest operational overseas deployment.
Prince William was with the Mercian regiment who are on operation in Estonia, protecting the eastern flank of Europe and on the front line of any threat from Russia.
The Prince, who is Colonel-in-Chief of the Mercians, visited Operation Cabrit which sees the Army contribute to securing Nato’s collective security and defence.
The Mercians have just taken over on Operation Cabrit from the Royal Dragoon Guards. Many of those involved have taken part in the operation before and bring a wealth of experience to this vulnerable region.
Wearing army fatigues, Prince William took to a Challenger 2 tank as he watched the regiment in action. His uniform also bore a NATO badge, a reminder of the vital role being played by the Army in a multinational operation.
There was also a chance to chat to some of the soldiers now on deployment. Prince William asked some if being on operation so close to Russia made this feel more real than previous experiences.
The visit has also been seen as highly symbolic and a very visible show of support for troops against the threat of potential Russian aggression.
The visit to the Mercians came as part of a two day visit to Estonia.
Earlier in his trip, the Prince of Wales met the President of Estonia, Alar Karis, at his official residence with a large crowd turning out to see the future king. Prince William also spent time at the Freedom School in Tallinn, which supports Ukrainian children and young people affected by the war.
He was given a friendship bracelet there in the colours of the Ukraine’s flag and told his hosts that Princess Charlotte would have her eye on it once he got home. The two day stay in Estonia also saw Prince William at the Cleantech Association which focuses on new technologies that help secure a more sustainable future.
