King Charles recently visited Imperial College London’s Centre for Injury Studies to highlight the UK’s support for injured Ukrainian service personnel and explore the connection between research and humanitarian efforts. The visit, which took place at Imperial’s White City Campus, comes as the third anniversary of the Ukraine conflict approaches.
During his time there, the King learned how the Centre applies lessons from past conflicts, such as those in Afghanistan and Iraq, to help those wounded in Ukraine. He also saw how the UK can benefit from Ukraine’s experience in combat medicine, rehabilitation, and treating conflict-related injuries.
In the laboratory, the King observed demonstrations of combat injury simulations, which showed how protective equipment can reduce the severity of injuries. He also examined research on prosthetics, including a specialized device used to test the durability of leg prosthetics. Additionally, he viewed virtual reality biofeedback technology, which helps in the rehabilitation of individuals who have lost limbs. These demonstrations were led by Imperial’s Major Trauma Director and the Centre’s Director and Associate Director, who explained their work on armoured protection research to the monarch.
The King also learned about Unbroken, a rehabilitation facility in Lviv, Ukraine, that provides a range of services for injured Ukrainians. During his visit, he met with representatives from various organizations involved in an international medical partnership, including staff from the UK’s Ministry of Defence and the Department of Health and Social Care. The visit brought together key stakeholders from the healthcare and defence sectors, emphasizing the collaborative efforts between UK institutions and Ukrainian partners in supporting injured service personnel. Representatives from the NHS also met with the King.
Before concluding his visit, King Charles met with Ukrainian students currently studying at Imperial College London. The visit highlighted the UK’s ongoing commitment to supporting Ukraine, both in terms of medical research and humanitarian aid.
The King’s visit coincided with the 65th birthday of his brother, Prince Andrew, who has kept a low profile since stepping back from public duties in 2019. Notably, the official Royal Family social media accounts did not post a birthday tribute to the Duke of York, nor did other senior members of the family, such as the Prince and Princess of Wales. This departure from the usual practice of acknowledging milestone birthdays for royal family members has drawn attention, given Prince Andrew’s controversial past and his withdrawal from public life.
