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Duchess of Cambridge meets military and civilians involved in Kabul evacuation

The Duchess of Cambridge visits RAF Brize Norton to meet those involved in Operation Pitting - Steve Parsons/PA
The Duchess of Cambridge visits RAF Brize Norton to meet those involved in Operation Pitting - Steve Parsons/PA

The Duchess of Cambridge has visited RAF Brize Norton to thank those involved in the evacuation of civilians from Kabul.

The Duchess, wearing a cream blazer, wide-legged black trousers and high heels, was greeted with a salute as she began the visit.

In her first engagement since the summer break, the Duchess was due to thank those who supported the UK's mission to evacuate from Afghanistan in Operation Pitting.

Duchess of Cambridge - Chris Jackson
Duchess of Cambridge - Chris Jackson

The evacuation, the largest humanitarian aid operation since the Second World War, saw some 15,000 people flown out of Kabul by the Royal Air Force.

More than 850 people arrived at RAF Brize Norton over the course of the two weeks, where they were given food, clothing, children’s toys, medical support, and childcare and sanitary products while their details were processed.

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The Duchess was due to meet civilians and military personnel.

The visit has echoes of the King's visit to returning troops from Dunkirk in 1940, when the then-Princess Elizabeth, now the Queen, sent sweets for British and French soldiers.