Prince William donned full combat gear during a visit to British forces stationed in Estonia on Friday, a show of solidarity with NATO efforts in Eastern Europe.
The future king, dressed in camouflaged military fatigues, visited Tapa military base—located about 200 kilometers (125 miles) from the Russian border—where he inspected infantry fighting vehicles and even rode aboard a tank.
The UK currently has around 900 troops deployed in Estonia and Poland under ‘Operation Cabrit,’ Britain’s contribution to bolstering NATO’s presence along its eastern front, a move intensified after Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Prince William’s two-day visit comes as European NATO allies, including Britain, are increasing defense spending amid ongoing calls from the United States for greater contributions to regional security.
During his visit, the prince observed a trench clearance exercise surrounded by barbed wire and dramatic clouds of yellow smoke. He also attended a ceremonial handover between the Royal Dragoon Guards, completing their deployment, and the Mercian Regiment, beginning their six-month mission. William serves as Colonel-in-Chief of the Mercian Regiment.
"From field training to weapon systems operation, this deployment is key! So brilliant to see the dedication and expertise of our troops in action," read a post from Kensington Palace on X (formerly Twitter).
This marks Prince William’s first official visit to Estonia.He previously visited British troops stationed in Poland in 2023, recognizing their support roles in the Ukraine conflict.
During the trip, William was also scheduled to meet soldiers to hear about their deployment experiences and discuss mental health and wellbeing with army welfare support teams. Photo by European Union, Wikimedia commons.