King and UK’s ‘unwavering support’ for Ukraine hailed at university

The King and the British people were praised for their “invaluable” commitment to Ukraine as the monarch visited a British University where research is supporting the embattled nation.

Charles visited Imperial College London’s Centre for Injury Studies to highlight the UK’s support to injured service personnel in Ukraine.

It is helping to develop technology that will protect soldiers on the battlefield, working in partnership with Unbroken, Ukraine’s National Rehabilitation Centre and developing prosthetic limbs and the essential rehab for military and civilians injured by munitions.

During the visit Charles hailed former Army captain and parasport athlete David Henson as “remarkable” when he was put through his paces with his “robotic legs” demonstrating the centre’s work helping those who have lost limbs.

When Charles held a video call with Dr Hnat Herych, chief of general surgery at Unbroken, he told the monarch: “Your Majesty, on behalf of my colleagues and my country I wish to express by deepest gratitude for the United Kingdom’s unwavering support for Ukraine, in these turbulent times.

“Britain has not only remained our steadfast ally but has also demonstrated true global leadership in defending Ukraine and standing up for freedom.

“The commitment of Your Majesty and the British people has been invaluable to us and we…hope for Europe’s support in these critical times.”

His words came after Russia and the US started talks to broker a peace deal without Ukraine or Europe present, prompting speculation about the future of Europe’s security.

In response Charles said: “Thank you very much indeed.

“I’m so glad Imperial College is able to have this obviously very effective relationship with Unbroken, I’m only hoping I’m not causing a terrible disruption to your normal working activities, I know how busy and how committed you all are.”

During the visit Charles watched the testing of a new material designed for military boots and developed to mitigate the force from a land mine or other munitions stood on by the wearer.

Dr Spyros Masouros, the centre’s associate director, said about the broken substance after the test: “We hope this goes into bits not the foot.”

Later Charles watched Mr Henson as he walked on a treadmill with sensors on his body which provided real-time data of his moments, a valuable aid in helping a person’s recovery after losing a limb.

The former Army officer first met Charles in a UK medical unit where he was receiving treatment after losing both legs above the knee after standing on an improvised explosive device in 2011, while clearing a compound in Helmand Province in Afghanistan.

After he stepped down from the treadmill the King told him “remarkable what you’re doing” and commented on the “robotic legs” of the ex-serviceman who served as Team GB captain for the inaugural Invictus Games, founded by the Duke of Sussex for wounded and sick military and veterans.

Harry opened the Centre for Blast Injury Studies in 2013 which was the forerunner of Imperial’s new centre which was launched a few years ago on its White City campus in West London.

Mr Henson said after the royal visit: “What was seen today was a team focused on making sure that people like me, carrying combat injuries, also get the possible chance of a good outcome throughout their life.”