Prince William.Photo: DANNY LAWSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (C) smiles as he talks with refugees evacuated from Afghanistan during a visit to a hotel in Leeds

Prince Williamvisited with refugees recently evacuated from Afghanistan to hear about their experiences as he promotes community cohesion.

The royal arrived in Leeds in the north of England on Tuesday for a surprise visit that underlines the welcoming and diverse communities in Britain who have been uniting to help others, his office at Kensington Palace said.

In September, his wifeKate Middletonmet and paid tribute tosome of the RAF crewswho were among the service members who helped transport thousands of Afghans to the U.K. in the wake of the Taliban takeover of the country.

Prince William.DANNY LAWSON/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

Britain’s Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (C) talks with refugees evacuated from Afghanistan in a playroom during a visit to a hotel in Leeds

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Prince William, Duke of Cambridge with refugees evacuated from Afghanistan during a visit to a hotel in Leeds

It also gave him a chance to speak with refugees — some who recently arrived and others who have been in the U.K. for several years — and learn about their experiences and hear about the challenges they’ve faced as they rebuild their lives in the U.K.

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Prince William, Duke of Cambridge plays table tennis during his visit to CATCH

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Prince William, Duke of Cambridge (C) speaks with children during his visit to CATCH

CATCH also provides a weekly activity session for children evacuated from Afghanistan. These sessions provide a chance for young refugees to socialize and integrate, as well as develop their language skills, in a relaxed, fun setting. It’s also an opportunity for CATCH volunteers to learn about different cultures and for everyone to make new friends.

source: people.com