Prince William Delights Crowds in Estonia with Selfies and Royal Charm
Braving the freezing temperatures in Tallinn, Estonia, around 200 enthusiastic locals gathered to catch a glimpse of Prince William, who quickly became the ‘king of selfies’ during his visit.
The Prince of Wales spent more than 30 minutes in discussions with Estonia’s President Alar Karis before dedicating just as much time to mingling with the public. Smiling and chatting, he eagerly posed for numerous selfies—often holding up phones himself to snap the perfect shot. At one point, he appeared to drop a device, but fortunately, only an extra battery pack slipped from his grasp.
William’s visit came after he met with members of the Cleantech Association, a group of renewable energy start-ups. He learned about Estonia’s groundbreaking efforts in energy security, particularly how the Baltic states—Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania—recently severed their dependence on Russia’s electricity grid by integrating with the European network.
Among those excited to meet the prince was 35-year-old banker Julius Lwanga, who recalled his interaction with William: “I asked for his autograph, but he said he couldn’t sign my book—though he was happy to take a selfie instead. I feel overawed—I’m heading to the pub for a drink!”
Jevgenia Hammerberg, 39, brought her young daughter to see the prince and even gifted him a doll of a beloved Estonian children’s book character, Sipsik. William remarked that the toy bore a resemblance to Dennis the Menace, the classic British cartoon character.
“I’m a huge fan of the royal family—not just for Kate Middleton’s fashion but for the traditions and history,” said Ms. Hammerberg. “Meeting a royal in Estonia was an incredible experience.”
At one moment during the walkabout, William was handed a basket of food, prompting him to joke, “No one’s ever given me groceries before.”
A lively group of teenagers, wearing their school’s distinctive peaked caps, gathered for what was likely the largest selfie of the day. William held the phone high, ensuring everyone fit into the frame.
After navigating through rows of excited well-wishers lined behind barriers, the prince neared the end of his walkabout. As the cold set in, he rubbed his hands together for warmth before finally departing.
Earlier in the day, William was introduced to innovative clean-energy technology, including a hydrogen-powered drone and solar panels famously featured on the hit Channel 4 show *Grand Designs*. The exposure from the show had significantly boosted the manufacturer’s sales.
During a Q&A session with members of the Cleantech Association, William—who launched the Earthshot Prize to champion solutions for environmental challenges—offered words of encouragement.
“My message is to keep doing more of the same,” he said. “There’s clearly a lot of innovation, excitement, and brilliant minds here working to solve these problems.”
With his charm, warmth, and enthusiasm for sustainability, Prince William left an undeniable impression on Estonia, further solidifying his reputation as a modern, approachable royal.
