WATCH: Emily joins Prince William in Estonia

In this week's The Royal Editor, Emily files a video report from Tallinn

Prince William looking like an action hero in Estonia

Hi everyone, it’s Emily here with my weekly newsletter. I’m in Tallinn, Estonia (to which 18% of you have been, according last week’s poll), waiting for my flight home after a fascinating few days covering Prince William’s visit.

It was the future King’s first time in the Baltic nation and he was here to witness the ceremonial handover of duties from the Royal Dragoon Guards to the Mercian Regiment, of which he is Colonel-in-Chief.

We spent today at Tapa Camp, around a 90-minute drive from Tallinn and around 80 miles from the Russian border, where the ceremony took place.

Emily and royal photographer Chris Jackson smiling through the cold at Tapa Camp

William’s visit, although planned some six months earlier, could not have been more timely, as world leaders work towards a ceasefire deal between Russia and Ukraine.

And it was welcomed by Estonians, who are anxious about what might happen if Russia turns its attention to their shared border in future.

Ukraine endorsement

It was also an opportunity for him to reiterate his strong backing for Ukraine, which he did when he met students and teachers at the Freedom School, an establishment set up for some of the 60,000 Ukrainian refugees Estonia has taken in since the start of the conflict. (Sidenote, for a country of 1.3million people, this is the equivalent of the UK taking in 3million refugees).

But the Prince was primarily there to show his support for the Mercians and to find out more about what they will be doing as they begin their six-month deployment.

And so he spent time with them getting cold and muddy on field exercises, travelling in a Challenger II tank, a Warrior armoured vehicle and an Archer artillery vehicle. He also had some fun playing pool and table football with troops relaxing in the NAAFI canteen on site.

Prince William having fun on the pool table

William, who trained at Sandhurst and served in the Royal Air Force as a Search and Rescue pilot, was clearly in his element back in that environment.

But it struck me that he seemed equally at ease yesterday as he met President Alar Karis in Tallinn, showing just how confident he now is on the international stage.

As his spokesman said during the trip, this has been “yet another example of the Prince of Wales representing the United Kingdom at the highest level..."

I’d love to hear your thoughts on William’s evolving role – do let me know in the poll and comments.

Now here’s my video diary of the trip – I hope you enjoy it!