Prince William will make his first official overseas trip of the year to Estonia next week

The 42-year-old royal will also meet Estonian soldiers, engage in a handover ceremony between the Royal Dragoon Guards and the Mercian Regiment, visit the Armed Forces welfare team, a canteen at Tapa camp, and see new weapons systems and tactics in action.

Sources told the Daily Telegraph that the trip - which was planned around six months ago - will showcase the "close relationship between the Crown and Armed Forces", which is "extremely close to the Prince's heart and extremely important in his role".

William will also meet with Alar Karis, the country's president, on his first visit to Estonia, as well as pay a visit to a school for displaced Ukrainian teachers and children, where he will join in with sports and a Ukrainian language lesson, and pursue his interest in the environment by meeting with a renewable energy start-up.

Kensington Palace said in a statement: "The Prince of Wales will travel to Estonia from Thursday 20th March to Friday 21st March to visit the Mercian Regiment in his role as Colonel-in-Chief and learn about how they are bolstering Nato's eastern flank as part of Operation Cabrit.

"Whilst in Estonia, His Royal Highness will also carry out engagements in Tallinn to learn more about how the country has responded to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and how Estonia is innovating in renewable energy and technology.

"This will be the Prince's first ever visit to Estonia."

There are currently 900 British personnel deployed in Estonia, training and working to "deter aggression and uphold stability" in eastern Europe, and William's visit comes just weeks after his uncle, Prince Edward, travelled to the country to attend a cold weather training exercise with The Royal Dragoon Guards.

In addition, Princess Anne spent time there in 2023 to meet with The King's Rusal Hussars, while Prince Harry visited Estonia in 2014, the late Queen Elizabeth in 2006, and King Charles, who was Prince of Wales at the time, made the trip in 2001.