Prince Harry’s Surprise Visit to Ukraine to Support Wounded Veterans

Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex, made an unannounced visit to Kyiv, Ukraine, to demonstrate his support for military personnel injured in the ongoing war with Russia.

The visit, described as a surprise trip, marked his second to Ukraine in 2025, the first being to Lviv in April. He traveled with a delegation from the Invictus Games Foundation, the charitable organization he founded to assist wounded, injured, and sick service members through sporting and rehabilitation initiatives.

Invited by the Ukrainian government, Prince Harry emphasized his commitment to aiding the recovery process. In statements made en route to Kyiv, he asserted that “we cannot stop the war, but what we can do is do everything we can to help the recovery process,” and stressed that it was imperative to keep public attention focused on the experiences of those affected by the conflict.

During the trip, he was scheduled to meet with approximately 200 veterans, visit the National Museum of the History of Ukraine in the Second World War, and hold discussions with Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko. The visit also included outlining new rehabilitation initiatives through the Invictus Games Foundation, aimed at expanding support for wounded soldiers across Ukraine.

The journey followed a four-day return to the U.K., during which he reunited with his father, King Charles III, in their first in-person meeting in nearly 19 months, a development viewed as possibly signaling a thaw in their strained relationship. Prior to departing for Kyiv, Harry confirmed he had consulted both his wife, Meghan, and the British government before accepting the invitation.

In parallel with the visit, the Archewell Foundation, co-run by Harry and Meghan, announced a donation of US$500,000 to support injured children in conflict zones, including Ukraine. This funding is allocated to medical evacuations through the World Health Organization and the development of prosthetics for child war victims.

The visit also coincided with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper’s presence in Kyiv, where she introduced new sanctions against Russia. Harry’s presence alongside diplomatic efforts highlighted a combined emphasis on moral support for Ukraine’s veterans and geopolitical solidarity.

Source: Reuters; AP News; The Guardian; Indian Express; Sky News