Prince William, the Prince of Wales, arrived in Warsaw as part of a two-day visit to Poland to express his gratitude to Polish and British troops who participated in the conflict in Ukraine and to hear more about how Poland has treated displaced Ukrainian refugees.
Day One
During his engagements in Rzeszow, the Prince of Wales learned about the assistance that Polish and British military personnel have been giving to the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The Prince started off by paying a visit to the 3rd Brigade Territorial Defence Force, which has been actively supporting Ukraine. He spoke to Polish and British soldiers at the base and met Mariusz Blaszczak, Poland’s defense minister, about the close bonds that have been built between them since they joined forces to help Ukraine.
After that, the Prince traveled to Rzeszow to meet with British military officers and learn more about the support operations for Ukraine they have been conducting alongside the Polish Armed Forces.
Royal Artillery makes up the majority of the personnel, and there is also an augmentation force that is made up of soldiers from various regiments across the UK.
Prince William visited a facility that houses 300 Ukrainian women and children who have fled their country and are currently poorly integrated into Polish communities during his first engagement in Warsaw that evening.
The center was formerly an office building that was later converted into housing. Residents of the center have access to two meals a day as well as a variety of services, such as kickboxing classes taught by a Ukrainian coach who also fled to Poland, employment assistance, Polish language instruction, a children’s play area, and psychological support.
His Royal Highness visited the Mayor of Warsaw during the tour and then heard from locals about their experiences relocating to Poland. Also, he spoke with volunteers who have been helping the homeless and organizing items from the Polish community that the center has received for distribution through a “free store.”
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Day Two
The Prince paid tribute to Polish troops who have died in battle by placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Pilsudski Plaza in Warsaw on his second day there. During their state visit to Poland in 1996, Her Late Majesty Queen Elizabeth and the Late Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, lay a wreath at the Tomb.
Wreaths were set at the Tomb by Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip in 1996 during their state visit to Poland.
After that, His His Highness went to the Presidential Palace to meet with Andrzej Duda, the president of Poland, and to thank the Polish people for their unfailing generosity and hospitality during these trying times.
The Prince paid a visit to the Hala Koszyki Food Hall at the end of the journey, where he spoke with young Ukrainian refugees who had fled their home country and had since made their way to Warsaw, where they had found work or were pursuing further education.
They told Prince William about their adjustment to life in Poland and their aspirations for the future.
The Prince heard from members of the Polish community who have taken in displaced Ukrainians about their experiences with the refugee crisis and congratulated them and their families for their hospitality and goodwill.
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