Prince Harry made a secret visit to Ukraine following his trip to the UK, where he met victims of the war with Russia – but experts predict the move might not go down well with some
Harry is the second royal to visit Ukraine since the Russian invasion(Image: The Duke and Duchess of Sussex ©)
Prince Harry’s secret trip to Ukraine could see him face the wrath of those in Donald Trump’s camp, an expert has warned. It emerged that the Duke of Sussex met war victims in the war-torn country in an unannounced visit yesterday as part of his ongoing work supporting injured veterans.
He travelled to Lviv after being in London earlier this week for a Court of Appeal hearing regarding his level of security when in the UK. During his trip, he visited the Superhumans Centre, an orthopaedic clinic and rehabilitation centre for adults and children affected by the war in Ukraine, which provides specialist prosthetics and mental health support. There he met patients and medical professionals to learn about the services that are provided there.
Harry’s visit to Ukraine comes amid the United States attempting to broker a peace deal between Russia and Ukraine. However, last month Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky was embroiled in an unprecedented public clash with Trump and his vice president JD Vance in the White House’s Oval Office. Trump has also been critical of Harry in recent times, especially regarding the row over his US visa, although said he wouldn’t deport the Duke from the US.
And veteran royal commentator Richard Palmer told GB News: “I’m sure it will not go down with some in the Trump camp. It is a public show of support for Zelensky and Ukraine. So that may make life a little less comfortable for him in the US when he gets back.”
Harry’s trip to to Lviv, which has been targeted in the war with Russia, came after being in London earlier this week for a Court of Appeal hearing regarding his level of security when in the UK. Harry has previously said he cannot bring his family to the UK without taxpayer-funded police protection and at the end of a two-day hearing earlier this week, his lawyer said the Duke’s safety, security and life are “at stake”.
Donald Trump with Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky(Image: AFP via Getty Images)
When news of Harry’s trip to Lviv emerged, some commentators questioned Harry’s decision to travel to Ukraine amid his security fight, with TV host Piers Morgan calling him a ‘hypocrite’. Mr Palmer added: “The reaction has been uniform. People are saying “hang on he’s come over because he needs police protection because he’s not safe in the UK. But then he’s gone to a warzone in Ukraine”.’
However, sources close to Harry, told MailOnline that it is “simply incorrect” to suggest his visit to Ukraine is ‘hypocritical’ or that it undermines his security case.
Harry is challenging the dismissal of his High Court legal claim against the Home Office. It comes after a decision by the Protection of Royalty and Public Figures (Ravec) that he should receive a different degree of taxpayer-funded protection when in the UK.
He was joined in Ukraine by people from the Invictus Games Foundation, including four veterans who have been through similar experiences to the civilians and ex-service personnel being rehabilitated at the Superhumans Centre. The games, a Paralympic-style sporting competition for injured and sick military personnel and veterans, was last held in Canada in February and were attended by then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
The royal family has been outspoken in their support for Ukraine and Harry is the most senior royal to visit the country following a trip last year by Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh. The King welcomed Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky to his Sandringham estate in Norfolk in March, days after Mr Zelensky’s unprecedented public clash with US President Donald Trump and his vice president JD Vance in the White House’s Oval Office. And Prince William, Harry’s brother, met Ukrainian refugees during a two-day visit to Estonia last month.
