Prince Harry made an unannounced visit to Ukraine on Thursday, where he met with war victims and rehabilitation staff at the Superhumans Center in the western city of Lviv. The visit, kept secret for security reasons, highlighted his continued dedication to supporting veterans and civilians affected by conflict.
Accompanied by a delegation from the Invictus Games Foundation, including four veterans, the Duke of Sussex toured the facility that provides free psychological support, prosthetics, and reconstructive surgery for those wounded in the ongoing war. A spokesperson noted the visit was intended to observe firsthand how rehabilitation services are delivered in a country still facing active conflict.
Harry, a former British Army captain who served for a decade, founded the Invictus Games in 2014 to help wounded veterans through competitive sports. Ukraine has been part of the Games since its participation in Toronto in 2017. The Superhumans Center’s CEO, Olga Rudneva, extended the invitation to Prince Harry during preparations for the 2025 Invictus Games in Vancouver and Whistler.
While at the center, Prince Harry also met Ukraine’s Minister of Veterans Affairs, Natalia Kalmykova, along with patients and medical personnel, showing solidarity with those impacted by the war. Rob Owen, CEO of the Invictus Games Foundation, underscored the importance of the visit, saying it demonstrated the foundation’s broader commitment to rehabilitation in even the most challenging environments.
Lviv, despite being far from the front lines, has faced repeated missile attacks during the conflict, making Harry’s visit even more significant. His appearance in Ukraine follows recent engagements by other members of the British royal family. The Duchess of Edinburgh visited Kyiv last year, while King Charles hosted Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in March. Prince William also met with Ukrainian refugees during a visit to Estonia last month.
Earlier this week, Prince Harry was in London for a Court of Appeal hearing concerning his security arrangements in the UK. His visit to Ukraine reinforces his ongoing humanitarian mission, bridging the worlds of military service, rehabilitation, and royal diplomacy.
