Prince Harry has visited Ukraine to meet with war victims, becoming the second member of the Royal Family to travel to the war-torn country.
The Duke of Sussex’s visit follows that of the Duchess of Edinburgh, who made history as the first royal to visit Ukraine since Russia’s invasion.
Harry’s trip to the Superhumans Center in Lviv was part of his ongoing work with wounded veterans through his Invictus Games Foundation.
The visit was not announced until after the prince had left the country for security reasons.
Duchess of Edinburgh appears to inspire Prince Harry with Duke’s latest move
PA / Superhumans Center
Royal commentator Michael Cole previously praised the Duchess of Edinburgh for her groundbreaking visit to Ukraine.
Speaking to GB News, the former royal commentator said: “She is the first royal personage to go to Ukraine. She went there, she did her job, and she did it very well.”
Cole added that this was “exactly the sort of job that Prince Harry should have been doing, that was made for him.”
He highlighted that such a role would have been particularly fitting given Harry’s military background.
Prince Harry made a surprise visit to Ukraine
Superhumans Center
“He served two tours of duty in Afghanistan, and he could go out there, he could talk to the soldiers,” Cole explained.
“He would understand the wounded and the injured. It was a brilliant innovation when he set up Invictus.”
Cole noted that Harry established the Invictus Games after returning from Afghanistan on a transport plane carrying coffins of British soldiers.
The commentator also revealed: “William and Kate, the Prince and Princess of Wales, were very instrumental through their foundation in encouraging Harry when he set up the Invictus Games.”
The Duchess of Edinburgh visited Ukraine last year
PA
Harry, who served 10 years in the British Army, visited the Superhumans Center, an orthopedic clinic in Lviv that treats and rehabilitates wounded military personnel and civilians.
The Duke was in central London earlier this week for a Court of Appeal hearing over his security arrangements in the UK before travelling to Ukraine.
The visit to western Ukraine, an area which has frequently been targeted with Russian missiles, demonstrates Harry’s continued commitment to veterans’ causes.
The prince was accompanied by a contingent from his Invictus Games Foundation, including four veterans who have themselves undergone similar rehabilitation experiences.
The Duchess of Edinburgh became the first British royal to visit Ukraine
PA
This practical support aligns with Harry’s longstanding commitment to wounded service personnel.
The visit appears to fulfil the role that Cole had previously suggested would be ideal for the Duke.
Despite his distance from royal duties, Harry’s work with veterans continues to be a significant focus of his public activities.
