Prince William’s heartfelt comment about his grandmother Queen Elizabeth while greeting fans in Estonia
William referenced the late Queen's love of corgis
Prince William melted hearts in Tallinn last week after sharing a sweet tribute to his late grandmother, Queen Elizabeth II, during a walkabout in the Estonian capital.
The Prince of Wales, 42, was greeting crowds as part of his two-day trip to Estonia when he spotted a familiar sight – a corgi.
Prince William makes touching comment about Queen Elizabeth
Delighted, William made a beeline for the dog. He crouched down to stroke its head with a big smile on his face.
“They were my grandma’s favourite,” William told the owner, referring to Queen Elizabeth’s well-documented love of the Welsh breed.
Queen Elizabeth famously adored corgis. She received her first – named Susan – on her 18th birthday in 1944. Over her lifetime, she owned more than 30 corgis and dorgis (a corgi-dachshund cross), with the breed becoming synonymous with her reign.
William’s affectionate comment came as he wrapped up a busy day of engagements in Tallinn. Earlier, the future King attended a meeting with Estonia’s President Alar Karis, where the two discussed defence cooperation and the presence of UK troops at the Tapa military base.
“With British troops at Tapa, we really appreciate it,” President Karis told the prince during their meeting.
William also visited a school where he joined a Ukrainian language lesson with teenagers. He even attempted a game of basketball – although he didn’t manage to score a point.
Later, the royal joined a workshop at the Cleantech Association, where he met with renewable energy startups and learned about Estonia’s push towards sustainable innovation.
Prince William visits Estonia
Anni Oviir, CEO of LCA Support, shared her appreciation for the prince’s visit.
“The UK has been a loyal friend to Estonia for more than a century, so we’re really excited to welcome the Prince of Wales on his first visit here.
While security understandably gets the most attention, we’re grateful that Prince William is also using his time here to learn about how Estonian technology and expertise is helping build a more sustainable world.”
As founder of the Earthshot Prize, William has long championed environmental causes. His visit to Estonia reflects his ongoing commitment to both international diplomacy and climate action.
The trip also reflects a shift in William’s royal strategy – favouring short, impactful visits over extended royal tours.
Aides say the goal is to balance royal duty with his responsibilities as a hands-on father to Prince George, Princess Charlotte, and Prince Louis.
A royal source told The Sunday Times: “What you saw last week is a short, impactful trip that showcased an important issue. It’s a model you’re likely to see more of. The idea of the short, sharp trip that has impact is one that works from a storytelling and diplomatic perspective.
He was in Estonia for under 36 hours – one minute he’s sat with the president, the next he’s taking selfies with Estonians, then he’s taking part in a military exercise near the Russian border.”
Read more: Prince William’s ‘plans to overhaul’ royal tours over hopes of new ‘approach to the monarchy’
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