After riding in a tank and taking part in a military exercise with British troops based on the Russia border in Estonia, Prince William joined them for a game of pool and table football
Prince William plays pool with British military personnel in Estonia
Prince William made a touching promise to British troops stationed on the Russia border as he was shown around their welfare facilities in Estonia. Earlier today, the Prince of Wales rode in a Challenge 2 tank defending Estonia against Russian aggression and joined a military exercise on the second of his two-day trip to the Baltic state.
Afterwards, he was shown around the welfare facilities at Tapa Army base where he asked whether the «stigma» of talking about mental health in the military was being broken. The Prince also asked whether soldiers were concerned their careers would be affected if they sought mental health support and revealed that he found soldiers responded better to the term «mental fitness» than mental health.
He promised to supply a fridge after hearing that one was lacking and asked if they had a toastie machine, noting how much he «loved cheese toasties». Staff Sergeant Amy-Jane Hale, who is in charge of welfare across Operation Cabrit in Estonia and Poland, welcomed the Prince to the welfare area at Tapa Camp.
The pair sat down together to discuss the emotional and mental health support available to soldiers on the base. The Prince appeared surprised to learn that Staff Sgt Hale was the one welfare officer on the base. «One?» he said, before asking how many soldiers she looked after.
«Do you find the potential stigma of coming to talk to you about some of this stuff about breaking down in the military yet or do we still have a bit of a way to go?» he asked, and was told that things were «very positive and moving in the right direction». The Prince also asked if soldiers could talk to a welfare officer in confidence, without worrying that it would end up in a report and affect their careers. «I find that mental fitness seems to work very well with the guys,» he said.
In the cinema room, the Prince asked whether they got to watch the latest films. Told Bridget Jones was due to arrive soon, he said: «Oh that’s pretty good, not bad.» Told there was no fridge, he said: «You don’t have a fridge? You’re joking? You do need a fridge. I’m definitely getting you a fridge.»
William chatted to four soldiers who had just arrived in Estonia, asking how they felt about being in Estonia. «It must focus the mind a little bit coming out here, knowing what’s going on the rest of the world, the context,» he said.
«And in fact, the Russian border is only a few hundred miles from here.. it does feel like it’s a bit more of an operational environment rather than just training.» Speaking of his experience travelling in a Challenger 2 tank, he said: «it packs quite a punch.»
He added: «I’ve probably churned up quite a lot of the mid here in the Challenger 2 and the Warrior, I made a bit more of a mess. We were saying it’s quite a useful exercise in itself, just viewing what’s gone on in Ukraine, seeing all the kinds of terrain they’re operating in and understanding the pros and cons of what’s gone on before.
«It’s quite a lot of things to be thinking about while you’re operating out here and does focus the mind a little bit.. what the challenges are coming up.»
Elsewhere, William showed off his competitive streak after being challenged to a game of table football. After being shown around the Navy, Army and Air Force Institute’s canteen, Company Sergeant Major WO2 Daniel Hutton, a Birmingham City fan, invited the future king to take him on in a «Blues vs Villa» match.
«This is a big match,» joked William. «One of us can never live this down, you know that. I fear it’s me.» But the Prince’s side was first to score and he joked that the game was over now he had won.
William also briefly joined a game of pool as he chatted to soldiers on a six-month deployment to the Camp. The Naafi, which opened two years ago, offers space for troops to relax, watch TV, play games and have hot food and drinks. The adjoining shop sells essentials as well as favourite treats from the UK.
William spent time chatting to staff, including senior finance manager Jawad Qamar, who told him how they keep soldiers stocked up on items from home. «Tea bags are always a big issue,» said the Prince. He asked soldiers about the Camp’s facilities and seemed particularly taken by the fact that they include a sauna.
«That’s a new thing on me, the sauna,» he said, referring to the fact that they are not usually found on military bases in the UK. «I now have an image of you all in the sauna. Lots of sweaty soldiers is not one to think about. Make sure there are no hydration issues from spending too long in the sauna.»
The Prince also met French troops working alongside their British and Estonian counterparts at the camp and was given a regimental from the 11th Marine Artillery to take home. «Bonjour, bonjour,» he said as he sat down with them. «Is English ok? My French is a bit ropey.»
Speaking afterwards, Wo2 Hutton said: «It’s morale-boosting. I think they [the troops] enjoyed him coming out here, bearing in mind his connection to the regiment. It’s always nice for the soldiers to get to meet him, especially in a natural environment where they’re just doing what they would normally.»
He said of the Prince: «It’s the first time I’ve met him properly. I tried to convince him to become a Birmingham City fan. I said maybe we could get his wife to become one and he just said, ‘that would be interesting’.»
