Prince Harry made a surprise visit to Ukraine last week, aiming to support the work of the Invictus Games Foundation and meet veterans who have suffered amputations and serious injuries due to the war with Russia. On Friday morning, Harry and his team visited the World War II History Museum, where they met with ministers and wounded soldiers. Deputy Minister for Veterans Affairs, Ruslan Prikhodko, told the Guardian that “rehabilitation and recovery through sport didn’t exist before Invictus.”
Prince Harry has arrived in Ukraine for a surprise visit in support of wounded service members.
“We cannot stop the war but what we can do is do everything we can to help the recovery process,” he told reporters.
Read more: https://t.co/BOV2IzXsFy pic.twitter.com/TbHdY6Uube
— ABC News (@ABC) September 12, 2025
Harry’s presence was welcomed with enthusiasm, as parents, veterans and citizens flocked to greet him. “We didn’t expect such recognition. His presence here is a symbol of victory and strength,” emphasized Olga Rudneva, head of the Superhumans rehabilitation center in Lviv. Harry himself noted that Invictus gave him purpose again after leaving the military, saying characteristically: “This saved me.” Particularly emotional was his visit to Maidan Square, where he stood alone among photographs, flowers and flags dedicated to the dead. “It’s one of the saddest, but also most beautiful things I’ve seen,” he commented, adding that the war “could and should have been avoided.”
Throughout his journey with the Guardian, Harry showed his personal side: On the train he walked around in socks, made jokes, admitted he can’t stand cycling, while mentioning that boxing helps him decompress.
Prince Harry: “I don’t believe I aired my dirty laundry”
Speaking about his public image, he dismissed accusations that he’s unhappy: “Part of the British press wants to believe I’m not happy. They’re wrong. I’m very happy with who I am and the life I live.” He also referred to his book Spare, emphasizing that it constituted “correcting stories that were already circulating.” As he said: “I don’t believe I aired my dirty laundry. The message was difficult, but I did it in the best possible way. My conscience is clear.”
From Monday to Thursday he was in the United Kingdom, where he participated in a series of events related to the causes he supports. He also met with his father, King Charles, for the first time since February 2024. On a night train returning him to Poland, Harry stated that he believes the whole week went well and that he feels optimistic about the future.
Regarding his father, King Charles, he emphasized that the next period should be dedicated to him. Concerning his wife Meghan, he mentioned her once, saying that her advice to “always tell the truth” is the basis on which he operates.
When asked if he would like to spend more time in the United Kingdom, to bring his children someday, despite problems with his security arrangements, he emphasized: “Yes, I would like to. This week certainly brought me closer to that.”
At the same time, he spoke about his ongoing legal battle with publishing groups, in which personalities like Elton John also participate. “It’s not about revenge, but about accountability,” he stated, noting that “there can be no reconciliation before there is truth.”
Before leaving Kiev, Harry filled the aircraft with gifts from citizens. He seemed almost embarrassed by the response he received, commenting that perhaps this was due to his own military experience. When told that his attitude reminded them of a Ukrainian who “does things his own way,” he replied: “You know who always did her own thing in her own way? My mother.”
One more gift, yes, one more…
Prince Harry was gifted a bottle of champagne 🍾 But that’s not ordinary champagne. All the proceeds from its sales are being directed to fund military hospitals and medical equipment in Ukraine 🏥 pic.twitter.com/2ByE8OaOUE
— Katerina 🇺🇦 (@Le__Katerina) September 12, 2025
