Prince Harry makes unannounced visit to Ukraine after whirlwind Australia tour


The Duke of Sussex arrived at Kyiv train station on Thursday morning, having travelled overnight from Poland. It comes after his four-day tour of Australia last week


Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex departs after attending a Court of Appeal hearing regarding his security at the Royal Courts of Justice on April 8, 2025 in London© Getty Images
Nicky Morris
Nicky MorrisActing TV and Film Editor
2 minutes ago
Share this:

The Duke of Sussex has returned to Ukraine to "remind people back home and around the world" of the country's ongoing conflict with Russia. 

Prince Harry, 41, made an unannounced visit to Kyiv and was filmed by ITV News arriving at the capital's main train station, stepping off an overnight train from Poland. He was welcomed by several people on the platform. 

Prince Harry welcomed by people at Kyiv station© ITV News
Prince Harry arrived in Kyiv on Thursday morning

"It's good to be back in Ukraine," the broadcaster quoted him as saying.

The Duke told ITV News he wanted "to remind people back home and around the world what Ukraine is up against and to support the people and partners doing extraordinary work every hour of every day in incredibly tough conditions.".

Recommended videoYou may also likeWATCH: Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's emotional last day in Australia

Harry's visit comes at a time when the world's focus has been on the war in Iran. 

Prince Harry welcomed by people at Kyiv station© ITV News
Harry's arrival was filmed by ITV News

Harry described Ukraine as "a country bravely and successfully defending Europe's eastern flank" and said "it matters that we don’t lose sight of the significance of that".

Prince Harry's itinerary in Ukraine

Prince Harry will make a keynote speech at the Kyiv Security Forum, which takes place on Thursday and Friday. The royal said that his message is that "the world sees you and respects you".

ITV News reported that Harry will say the world must not become "numb" to the war, or any other conflict, in his speech.

Prince Harry delivers the keynote speech at the InterEdge Summit on day three of the royal trip at Centrepiece in Melbourne Park © Getty Images
Prince Harry will make a keynote speech during his visit

"This is a war about values, not just territory," he will say.

Harry's surprise visit comes days after he finished a tour of Australia with his wife, Meghan, the Duchess of Sussex. 

ITV reporter Chris Ship told Good Morning Britain that while Harry's Australia trip last week was "part royal, part fundraising for themselves," his visit to Ukraine is "not a business trip" and concerns the Invictus Games and The HALO Trust.

harry meghan bondi© Getty Images
Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex and Meghan, Duchess of Sussex embarked on a four-day tour of Australia last week

Harry is a patron of The HALO Trust, a charity that removes landmines and other explosives from battle zones.

The father-of-two will go to a minefield during his visit, just like his mother Princess Diana did in Angola in January 1997.

Harry and Meghan's Australia tour

Last week, Harry and Meghan embarked on a four-day trip to Australia, which marked their first visit to the country since 2018, when they were still working royals. 

The couple took part in a series of "philanthropic", "charity", and "private" engagements in Melbourne, Canberra, and Sydney.

Inbaal said Meghan seemed like a 'ball of nerves' during one engagement© Getty Images
Harry and Meghan took part in a series of "philanthropic", "charity", and "private" engagements

Opening up about the challenges of public life during the whirlwind tour, Meghan described it as "very hard" at times. The 44-year-old also reflected on the "amazing moments" she has experienced since meeting Harry in 2016, including their marriage and the arrival of their children, Prince Archie and Princess Lilibet. 

Upon their return to Montecito, Meghan shared sweet footage of the welcome home she and Harry received from their children, who had strung up a "Welcome Replica Luxury Handbag" banner. 

More Royalty
See more