Prince Harry surprised royal fans last week when he was spotted in Ukraine after his four-day UK trip. The Duke of Sussex, 41, arrived in the capital of Kyiv on Friday after being officially invited and with the permission of the British government.
During his visit to the wartorn country, the Duke met war veterans and members of the armed forces. He also spent time paying his respects to the many who have been killed over the last three years since Russia invaded.
The Duke, who was in the country to see how his Invictus Games Foundation can help those wounded veterans recover, looked emotional during his brief visit, with one insider revealing what people in Ukraine thought of him.
Josh Boggi, international community manager for the Invictus Games Foundation, told People magazine: “There was a sense of excitement for the fact he was there in Kyiv and showing his support for the veterans.
“He is adored — not just by Ukrainians but all the military from all the Invictus nations around the world.
“You could feel the aura in the room when he walked in. He was hugging the veterans, and they were hugging him back. He was in his absolute element in that room.”
Mr Boggi continued: “The big takeaway for me was seeing these guys and girls who have been through hell and back and living with their injuries and disabilities and seeing the smiles on their faces when the duke walked in. He would try and give time to everyone and see how they are getting on in their recovery journeys.”
Harry’s visit to Ukraine on Friday came after his four-day trip to the UK for various charitable engagements.
This trip back to his home country was highly significant for the prince, who quit royal life in 2020, as he was reunited with his father King Charles for the first time since February 2024.
While the father and son are believed to have experienced a more turbulent relationship lately, a reconciliation now seems to be underway.
Neither Harry or his father have shared what they discussed in their meeting, however the prince did say the monarch was now his “focus” over the coming year.