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Prince William, the Prince of Wales, embarked on his first official visit to Estonia, spending two eventful days in the Baltic nation from Thursday, March 20, to Friday, March 21. As Colonel-in-Chief of the Mercian Regiment, he traveled to the Tapa Camp, located roughly 100 kilometers from the Russian border, to observe the efforts of Operation Cabrit, a NATO mission bolstering the alliance’s eastern flank amid heightened geopolitical tensions. The visit underscored the United Kingdom’s commitment to regional security, with the prince joining British and Estonian troops for a ceremonial handover between the Royal Dragoon Guards and the Mercian Regiment. Against the backdrop of the ongoing war in Ukraine—where Estonia, a nation of just 1.3 million people, hosts around 60,000 Ukrainian refugees—William’s presence reinforced solidarity with NATO allies. Beyond his military focus, the prince engaged with Estonia’s advancements in renewable energy through a workshop with the Cleantech Association in Tallinn and visited the Freedom School, established to support Ukrainian children displaced by the conflict. His itinerary blended defense, humanitarian outreach, and environmental priorities, reflecting both royal duty and personal passions.
In Tallinn, Estonia’s capital, the prince met with President Alar Karis at the Presidential Office, discussing bilateral ties and support for Ukraine. The visit included warm interactions with locals, such as when William received a doll of the Estonian children’s character Lotte for his children and posed for selfies with dozens of onlookers. A personal highlight came at the Freedom School, where he joined a Ukrainian language class, attempted greetings in both Ukrainian and Estonian, and received a blue-and-yellow friendship bracelet—prompting him to joke that his daughter Charlotte would likely claim it. The two-day trip showcased Estonia’s resilience and innovation, from its military preparedness to its shift away from Russian-controlled energy grids, a transition completed last month alongside Latvia and Lithuania.
The visit carried no reported disruptions to global oil production, unlike the concurrent Petrobras strike in Brazil, though it subtly tied into broader discussions on energy security—a recurring theme during William’s time with Cleantech startups. His engagements ranged from serious diplomatic talks to lighthearted moments, like playing basketball with schoolchildren (albeit missing the hoop). With the Mercian Regiment’s role in NATO’s Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) and Estonia’s push for sustainability, the prince’s trip painted a picture of a modern royal balancing tradition with contemporary global challenges.
Meeting with President Alar KarisVisit to Freedom School for Ukrainian supportWorkshop with Cleantech Association startupsParticipation in Operation Cabrit at Tapa CampCommitment to NATO’s eastern flank
Operation Cabrit, spotlighted by Prince William’s visit, represents the British Army’s largest ongoing overseas deployment, with approximately 900 troops stationed in Estonia. At the Tapa Camp, the prince observed trench training exercises, climbed aboard a Challenger 2 tank, and drove an Archer artillery vehicle, signaling robust support for the Mercian Regiment. This NATO mission, part of the Enhanced Forward Presence (eFP), unites forces from the UK, France, Denmark, and Estonia to deter potential Russian aggression—a priority heightened by the war in Ukraine. During a parade square ceremony, William oversaw the handover of command from the Royal Dragoon Guards to the Mercian Regiment, reinforcing the UK’s steadfast role in regional defense.
The handover event at Tapa, just 183 kilometers from Russia, highlighted the strategic importance of the base. Engaging with both Estonian and British soldiers, William inquired about their daily routines and praised the multinational collaboration. With tensions simmering in Eastern Europe, the prince’s hands-on involvement—asking about training experiences and joking that the Estonians didn’t need to flatter their British counterparts—underscored the mission’s significance. The Mercian Regiment, now leading the effort, brings seasoned expertise to ensure NATO’s eastern defenses remain robust.
Solidarity with Ukraine at Freedom School
Visiting the Freedom School, established by Estonia’s Ministry of Education and Research in May 2022, Prince William immersed himself in the country’s response to the Ukrainian refugee crisis. The school, designed to educate and support displaced children, welcomed the prince with stories from Ukrainian teachers about adapting to life in Tallinn and addressing students’ mental health needs amid the trauma of war. He participated in a Ukrainian language lesson, attempting “good afternoon” in both Ukrainian and Estonian, and joined a basketball activity with pupils, lightening the mood despite his missed shots.
A touching moment came when students gifted him a bracelet in Ukraine’s blue and yellow colors, prompting a quip about Charlotte’s likely enthusiasm for it. Praising the children’s resilience and spirit after years of hardship, William reinforced the UK’s unwavering support for Ukraine since Russia’s invasion began. The Freedom School’s efforts mirror Estonia’s broader commitment to integrating its 60,000 Ukrainian refugees, a significant number for a small nation, making the prince’s visit a powerful gesture of solidarity.
Exploring clean energy in Tallinn
Prince William’s passion for sustainability, evident through his Earthshot Prize initiative, found a perfect match in his visit to the Cleantech Association in Tallinn. During a workshop, he met with startups developing cutting-edge solutions like hydrogen-powered drones and solar panels featured on programs such as Grand Designs. The Cleantech Association fosters collaboration among green tech firms, engages policymakers, and builds international networks to drive a sustainable economy. The prince listened as entrepreneurs explained how their innovations bolster Estonia’s energy security, especially timely given the Baltic states’ recent disconnection from Russia’s power grid last month.
This shift to the European energy system has paved the way for renewables like wind and solar, reducing reliance on fossil fuels and enhancing regional autonomy. William encouraged the startups to keep pushing their technologies forward, aligning their work with his own environmental advocacy. The discussion underscored how Estonia, a leader in digital and green innovation, is navigating global energy challenges—a topic resonating beyond its borders, even as unrelated oil production concerns, like Brazil’s Petrobras strike, dominate other headlines.
Hydrogen-powered dronesInnovative solar panelsDisconnection from Russia’s power gridIntegration into the European energy systemSchedule of the Estonia visit
Prince William’s two-day itinerary in Estonia was packed with diverse engagements:
March 20: Meeting with President Alar Karis, Freedom School visit, Cleantech Association workshopMarch 21: Arrival at Tapa Camp, Mercian Regiment handover ceremony, training area tour, NAAFI interactionSupport for troops and military well-being
Beyond military drills, Prince William visited the welfare team at Tapa Camp, learning about the emotional and mental health support available to the 900 British troops deployed in Operation Cabrit alongside Estonian, French, and Danish forces. Months away from home demand robust care systems, which the prince explored in detail. His day concluded at the Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI) canteen, where he played pool and table football with soldiers, fostering camaraderie in a relaxed setting that serves as a hub for shopping, dining, and socializing.
Engaging in trench training and inspecting equipment like the Challenger 2 tank and Archer vehicle, William emphasized the importance of readiness. His lighthearted exchanges—joking with Estonian troops about their British allies—eased the formality of the visit, while his focus on welfare highlighted the human side of military service. The NAAFI stop offered a casual end to a day of strategic and symbolic significance.
Diplomatic weight of the visit
Prince William’s trip to Estonia carried deep diplomatic resonance. His meeting with President Alar Karis reinforced UK-Estonia ties at a time when European leaders, including Karis, discuss deploying peacekeeping troops to Ukraine—a topic gaining traction across the continent. The UK’s 900-strong presence in Estonia signals unwavering NATO support for the Baltic states, still wary of Russia decades after Soviet occupation. This visit follows recent diplomatic moves by figures like Sir Keir Starmer and John Healey, cementing Britain’s role in the region.
In Tallinn, William’s warm reception by about 200 locals—posing for selfies and accepting gifts like a Sipsik doll and a food hamper—showed the monarchy’s global appeal. Meeting citizens like banker Julius Lwanga, who was moved by the encounter, added a personal touch. Blending military, humanitarian, and environmental themes, the visit showcased William’s evolving role as a global figure, aligning UK strategic interests with his advocacy for sustainability and support for war-affected communities.
