Prince William visits NATO troops in Estonia

Prince William, the Prince of Wales, recently visited Estonia to show support for NATO forces stationed near the Russian border. Dressed in military attire, he participated in training exercises at the Tapa military base, located just 80 miles from Russia, including operating a Challenger 2 tank and an Archer mobile artillery vehicle with a 50km weapon range.

In his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Mercian Regiment, the Prince observed the operational handover between the Royal Dragoon Guards and the Mercian Regiment. He witnessed soldiers clearing trenches amid smoke grenades and blank gunfire, and viewed various military vehicles including the Warrior infantry fighting vehicle and multiple launch rocket systems on the parade ground.

During interactions with troops from the UK, France, and Estonia, Prince William acknowledged the significance of their position near the Russian border. When Estonian soldiers mentioned they daily think about Russia's proximity, he responded, "Yes it must focus the mind."

The two-day visit, conducted on behalf of the UK government, also had a humanitarian focus. Prince William met with Estonian President Alar Karis and visited The Freedom School in Tallinn, an institution supporting students affected by the Ukraine conflict.

While speaking with British troops, the Prince discussed mental health challenges associated with deployment, reflecting his ongoing work to reduce stigma around mental health issues.

Though planned six months in advance, the timing of the visit carries additional significance amid ongoing Russian threats, discussions of a Ukraine-Russia ceasefire, and recent criticisms of NATO. The presence of British forces in Estonia and Poland under Operation Cabrit represents the UK's contribution to NATO's Forward Land Forces, providing a deterrent against Russian aggression.

Through his engagement, Prince William emphasized both his commitment to UK military personnel and the importance of international solidarity in responding to regional security challenges.