ALL-ACTION MAN

The Prince of Wales gears up to visit British troops in Estonia just 80 miles from the border with Russia – and is warmly welcomed by Ukrainian refugees

The Prince of Wales travelled in a Challenger 2 tank during a day at Tapa Camp, a military base in Estonia, last week.

He was there in his role as Colonel-in-Chief of the Mercian Regiment to attend a ceremony marking the start of a six-month deployment as the troops take over from the Royal Dragoon Guards.

After travelling in the commander’s turret of the tank he watched a trench warfare training exercise. Around 900 British soldiers – the UK’s largest overseas operational deployment – are based in Estonia to support Nato’s eastern flank.

At the camp, around 80 miles from the Russian border, Prince William chatted to soldiers from the 1st Estonian Brigade. “It’s great to meet you guys and great to be here,” he said. “How’s it working with the Brits? You don’t have to say nice things just because I’m here.”