Prince Harry made a surprise return to Ukraine on Friday, visiting Kyiv for the first time since the war began. The Duke of Sussex revealed that his visit was prompted by a chance encounter with Olga Rudnieva, the founder of the Superhumans Trauma Centre in Lviv, who invited him to the Ukrainian capital to witness firsthand the devastation of the war.
In an interview with The Guardian, Harry shared that while he was eager to help, he made sure to “check with” his wife, Meghan Markle, before confirming his travel plans.
Earlier in April, Harry had visited Lviv to support the Superhumans Trauma Centre. But he acknowledged that Lviv, being farther west, did not reflect the full scale of the conflict. His recent trip to Kyiv marked the first time he would witness the real destruction caused by the war.
During his visit, Harry and his team from the Invictus Games Foundation focused on new initiatives aimed at supporting the rehabilitation of the wounded. He emphasized the importance of continuing to raise awareness of the human cost of the war and ensuring that the public remains mindful of the ongoing crisis.
“We cannot stop the war, but what we can do is help with recovery,” Harry stated, highlighting his commitment to keeping the impact of the war at the forefront of global attention.
Ukraine first participated in the Invictus Games in 2017, and the next event is set for Birmingham in 2027. Harry expressed his hope that the people of Birmingham would show their continued respect and admiration for veterans and service communities worldwide.
