Prince Harry in secret dash to Ukraine, hours after UK court appearance

Prince Harry visited a medical clinic which provides orthopaedic devices for soldiers and civilians who have lost limbs, hours after appearing in a London court demanding taxpayer security.

Prince Harry surrounded by victims of war at the Superhumans Centre, in Ukraine, on Thursday, April 10, 2025. Photo: Superhumans Centre

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Prince Harry visited war-torn Ukraine on Thursday (local time) only hours after appearing in court to appeal against the removal of his taxpayer-funded security.

Harry’s surprise visit to the western Ukrainian city of Lviv, an area frequently targeted by Russian missiles, was announced after he had left the country, but the trip has raised eyebrows given the British government’s advice not to travel there.

Prince Harry during a visit to the Superhumans Centre in Lviv, Ukraine. Picture; AFP.

The only working royal to have previously visited Ukraine was Sophie, the Duchess of Edinburgh, who visited Kyiv last year under tight security. William, the Prince of Wales, also met Ukrainian soldiers on a visit to Estonia in late March.

Harry’s spokesman announced he had met with war victims while visiting the Superhumans Centre, a medical clinic which provides orthopaedic devices for wounded soldiers and civilians who have lost limbs.

Harry, who spent a decade in the army, attended the centre and spoke to staff and patients, including four veterans who had undergone rehabilitation there and met Ukraine’s Minister of Veterans Affairs, Natalia Kalmykova.

He was accompanied by members of the Invictus Games organisation, the event he has headed since 2014 which provides sporting competition for wounded veterans. He wore an Invictus Games jacket while posing for a photograph with the veterans.

Harry also had a Netflix film crew in tow.

The trip came after Harry’s two-day arguments in the Court of Appeal in London, where he is insisting on the right to have a full suite of security for himself and his family whenever he visits the United Kingdom. His lawyer told the court that Harry’s “life is at stake”.

The Home Office rejected this and said Harry is provided with security on a case-by-case basis, but the estranged royal has demanded the same full protection in the UK he previously enjoyed when he carried out royal engagements.

The appeal court has retired to consider its decision.