Prince William made a symbolic visit to Estonia, donning a camouflage uniform and riding in a Challenger 2 tank near the Russian border to demonstrate the UK’s commitment to NATO’s defence efforts.
During his two-day visit, the Prince of Wales toured Tapa Camp, Estonia’s strategically significant military base, which is part of Operation Cabrit — the UK’s largest overseas military deployment. The operation is aimed at strengthening NATO’s eastern flank against potential Russian aggression.
Prince William met with 900 British troops, including members of the Mercian Regiment, of which he serves as Colonel-in-Chief. He also interacted with Estonian and French soldiers stationed at the base.
Strengthening Defence Amid Rising Tensions
While touring the military facility, Prince William inspected various military vehicles, including a Warrior armoured vehicle, a French Griffon, a Trojan vehicle, and an Archer mobile artillery system.
The Prince also addressed the evolving nature of modern warfare, observing a hydrogen-powered drone in Estonia’s capital, Tallinn, and discussing the increasing threat of drone attacks with troops.
At the Tapa base, Prince William questioned soldiers about their deployment, asking whether their presence near Russia felt “more real” than previous training exercises.
Supporting Troops’ Wellbeing
During the visit, Prince William focused on the welfare of troops stationed in Estonia, engaging with welfare officers and discussing mental health in the armed forces. He asked whether there was still stigma surrounding the issue, to which Welfare Officer Amy-Jane Hale responded positively, noting progress in mental health awareness.
The prince also took time to socialize with troops, joining them for games of pool and table football, where his team, Aston Villa, faced off against a Birmingham City supporter.
Warm Welcome in Estonia
In Tallinn, Prince William visited a school for Ukrainian child refugees, where he praised Ukraine’s resilience.
“The Ukrainian resilience is everywhere,” he told students. “You have a very good spirit, very good souls — it’s very important.”
Prince William’s visit comes as Estonia continues to show strong support for Ukraine, with numerous Ukrainian flags seen alongside Estonia’s national tricolour throughout the capital.
The visit reinforced the UK’s solidarity with its NATO allies and its ongoing efforts to deter potential aggression from Russia.
