LONDON – Britain’s Prince William made an unannounced trip to Poland on Wednesday to thank British and Polish troops involved in providing support to Ukraine, before meeting refugees who fled the conflict with Russia to hear of their experiences.

The heir to the British throne travelled to Rzeszow in south-east Poland, where he was to meet Polish Defence Minister Mariusz Blaszczak and speak to members of the Polish defence force and British troops based there, the Prince’s office said.

The British deployment in Poland is part of a Nato build-up of strength on its eastern flank following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Prince William’s trip, which had not been publicised in advance, is taking place under tight security, but his spokesman said the Prince was very keen that it should go ahead, and that it was something he had requested.

“I’m here because I want to personally thank the Polish and British troops working in close and crucial partnership,” the Prince said in a statement to the Polish media.

“I also want to pay tribute to the inspiring humanity of the Polish people. You have opened your hearts as much as your homes.”

After the military engagements, the Prince of Wales is due to travel to Warsaw to visit an office block which was converted into an accommodation centre housing about 300 Ukrainian women and children who fled the war.

On Thursday, the Prince will lay a wreath at the Polish capital’s Tomb of the Unknown Soldier – where his late grandparents, Queen Elizabeth and her husband, Prince Philip, also laid a wreath during their state visit in 1996 – before he has a meeting with Polish President Andrzej Duda.

“Tomorrow, as I meet President Duda, I’ll reiterate the profound relationship shared by our two nations and underline my continued support and gratitude to the Polish people,” the Prince said.

The Prince’s first trip to Poland since he last travelled there with his wife Kate in 2017 will conclude with a visit to a local food hall, where he will greet young Ukrainian refugees who have settled in Warsaw. REUTERS