The Duke of Cambridge spent the day in Leeds earlier this week meeting with refugees from Afghanistan who have been relocated to the United Kingdom.
William’s unannounced visit to an unnamed hotel in West Yorkshire allowed him to hear first-hand accounts from residents of Afghanistan who were forced to flee the country this summer.
Among those Prince William spoke with were Hossain Saeedi, who left Afghanistan with his partner and child, and told the BBC, “It was a great pleasure for us to meet with a member of the Royal Family, we didn’t know about it until the very last minute so we were very excited when we knew.
“He came with a very powerful, warm and welcoming message for the refugees, I think it was a very important visit.”
William also spoke with community organisers, staff at the hotel, local charities and local authorities to learn more about how they all came together to support Afghan refugees in the area.
The Kensington Palace Twitter account shared photos of the Duke’s visit, tweeting: “In Leeds today to celebrate the welcoming, diverse, resilient communities across the nation who are coming together to support those in need.
“The people of Yorkshire, along with thousands across the UK, are providing vital support to those who have recently evacuated Afghanistan.”
William later paid a visit to CATCH, a charity organisation that provides opportunities for young people from differing backgrounds. The charity has begun teaching English to children from Afghanistan who have been evacuated to the UK.
During his visit, William presented The Queen’s Award for Voluntary Service to the charity’s organisers and said: “I have been blown away by the visit. It is an amazing achievement what you have all done here. You guys, the young people, built this together. I am blown away and quite emotional about it.
“You have worked together, don’t know each other, don’t speak English and have come together—you can’t not be proud.”
