Continuing his visit to Estonia, the Prince of Wales visited the Tapa Army Base in Estonia, highlighting the United Kingdom’s commitment to NATO and the defence of Eastern Europe.
This visit, part of his two-day trip to the Baltic state, highlighted the UK’s support amidst ongoing regional tensions.
Prince William met British troops in Estonia. (Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
Upon arrival at the Tapa military base, located approximately 100 miles from the Russian border, Prince William, dressed in camouflage military attire, met with British and Estonian troops. In his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Mercian Regiment, he participated in a handover ceremony where the 1st Battalion of the Mercian Regiment assumed duties from the Royal Dragoon Guards as part of NATO’s Operation Cabrit.
Demonstrating solidarity with the troops, Prince William actively engaged in field training exercises. He rode in the commander’s turret of a Challenger 2 tank across the base’s muddy terrain and observed trench warfare simulations, where soldiers practiced capturing high-value targets.
The Prince of Wales during a visit to the training area to hear how the Mercians are using different weapon systems and learning new training and operating techniques whilst in Estonia. (Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
Travelling in the commander’s turret of the vehicle, William was able to see an ‘eagle-eye view’ of the exercise being carried out by the soldiers.
Additionally, he operated an Archer mobile artillery vehicle, showcasing his hands-on approach and commitment to understanding the challenges faced by military personnel. A royal aide said that the Prince was delighted to be ‘getting his hands dirty’.
The Prince operated an Archer mobile artillery vehicle. (Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
Beyond formal ceremonies and exercises, Prince William took time to connect with soldiers on a personal level. He visited the Navy, Army, and Air Force Institutes (Naafi) shop and canteen at the base, where he engaged in games of pool and table football with the troops. These interactions provided an opportunity for candid conversations about their experiences, deployment challenges, and the importance of mental well-being.
Speaking to soldiers about his visit, he noted that ‘hopefully this provides a bit of interest for you all and what you’re doing and keeps everyone on their toes’.
The Prince of Wales during a visit to the training area to hear how the Mercians are using different weapon systems and learning new training and operating techniques whilst in Estonia. (Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
Staff Sergeant Amy-Jane Hale, head of welfare across Operation Calbrit, spoke to the Prince at the welfare area at Tapa Camp. The pair spoke about the
emotional and mental health support available to soldiers on the base, with HRH appearing shocked that there was only one welfare officer on the base – Staff Sergeant Amy-Jane Hale.
He asked Amy-Jane: ‘Do you find the potential stigma of coming to talk to you about some of this stuff about breaking down in the military yet or do we still have a bit of a way to go?’
The Prince joined soldiers in a game of table football. (Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
William also asked if soldiers could talk to a welfare officer in confidence, without worrying that it affect their careers, saying ‘I find that mental fitness seems to work very well with the guys. They respond very well to (the term) mental fitness, whereas mental health, they don’t respond quite so well. It’s very interesting, mental fitness goes down really strongly in the military.’
The Prince during a visit to the Welfare team to hear about the emotional and mental wellbeing support that is available to soldiers deployed in Tapa on Operation Cabrit. (Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
Lieutenant Colonel Grant Brown from 1st Battalion The Mercian Regiment, who was accompanied His Royal Highness during the field exercise, said: ‘Every week there is something new going on. Our job is to reassure our allies that we are absolutely committed to freedom. And to ensure we are ready to face any threat no matter where that might come from. We are constantly out here training to ensure that we are ready.’
The Tapa Army Base hosts approximately 900 British service personnel, making it the UK’s largest permanent overseas deployment. This visit highlighted the UK’s role in leading a NATO battlegroup in Estonia, reinforcing the alliance’s eastern defences in response to regional security concerns. The Mercians have just started their six-month deployment in Estonia.
The Prince of Wales engages with troops from the Mercian Regiment Battle Group and NATO partners at The Navy, Army and Air Force Institutes (NAAFI) shop and canteen. (Picture by Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
The Prince of Wales’ trip to Tapa Camp was at the request of the UK government, with the visit been in the planning for six months, but the visit feels significant amid the threats from Russia and discussions of a ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia.
