For the past three years, various global figures, including presidents, prime ministers, and celebrities, have visited Ukraine to express solidarity amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. Recently, Prince Harry joined this list with an unannounced visit to Lviv.
On Thursday, Harry toured a rehabilitation facility for military and civilian victims of the conflict in Lviv, engaging with patients and staff members, as confirmed by his office. The visit was kept under wraps until after he left Ukraine due to the ongoing missile threats in the area.
Harry's visit aligns with his commitment to supporting war casualties. A combat veteran himself, he founded the Invictus Games in 2014, a sports competition for injured military veterans. He was accompanied by a delegation from the Invictus Games Foundation, following an invitation from Olga Rudneva, the chief executive of the Superhumans Center, which provides free reconstructive surgery, prosthetics, and psychological counseling to war victims.
During his tour, Harry interacted with an injured child and men who had lost limbs, and he also met with Ukraine’s minister of veterans affairs, Natalia Kalmykova. His visit coincided with the conclusion of a four-day state visit to Italy by his father, King Charles III, and Queen Camilla, leading to discussions about the implications of royal family members traveling simultaneously.
King Charles garnered attention during his visit to Italy, particularly for an unexpected meeting with Pope Francis, who is recovering from health issues. The king delivered a speech to the Italian Parliament, which included humorous remarks and demonstrated his efforts to strengthen UK-Italy relations.
Harry's trip to Ukraine was notably timed with a court hearing in London regarding his appeal against the withdrawal of taxpayer-funded security for him and his family. Following a previous setback in February, he received permission to appeal on limited grounds, though the timeline for a ruling remains unclear.
Both Harry and Charles's travels occurred amid personal challenges. Harry is currently facing a dispute with the chair of his charity Sentebale, who has accused him of harassment and bullying. Harry has denied these allegations, and the Charity Commission is investigating the matter.
In a joint statement with Prince Seeiso of Lesotho, Harry expressed concern over the situation, describing it as "heartbreaking" and emphasizing the impact of the allegations on those dedicated to their shared charitable goals.