The Prince of Wales was given a touching present as he began a visit to Estonia and admitted he won’t be able to hang on to it for too long.
As Prince William arrived in Tallinn, he was given a Ukrainian friendship bracelet. The gift, in the colours of blue and yellow, came from a student at The Freedom School, which was founded in 2022 as a direct response to the Ukraine conflict.
The future king revealed how Princess Charlotte would likely take it from him when he returned home. “She loves these friendship bracelets,” he confided.
William was at the Freedom School at the start of a visit to Estonia which will also see him visit the Mercian Regiment stationed there – he is their Colonel-in-Chief.
(Kensington Palace Instagram stills/ fair use)
The start of this royal visit included a visit to the school where he met Ukrainian teachers and students to learn more about their experiences following the war and how the school supports their mental health.
William joined on a sports session with students and a Ukrainian-language lesson, and told the refugees that he admired their resiliency. “It’s been a very difficult few years for you guys,” he said, adding “everyone sees that. What I love is the Ukrainian resilience is everywhere. You all are very smiley and very strong and very spiritual people. And honestly that comes across everywhere. Even the Ukrainians I’ve met in the UK are like that–very resilient and very strong about things.”
Earlier, the Prince of Wales had met Estonia’s President, Alar Karis, at his office.
(Kensington Palace Instagram stills/ fair use)
The future king’s final engagement on March 20 was a visit to the Cleantech Association to meet with representatives from renewable energy start-ups. He said on social media that it was great to see how the Association is “leading the charge in developing innovative solutions to combat climate change. The global adoption of renewable energy has never been more urgent, and it’s clear that these new technologies are central to the transition to a cleaner, more secure energy future.”
The second day of the royal visit will see the Prince of Wales on exercises with the Mercian Regiment.
