Prince William says refugees couldn't be "more welcome" on visit to Leeds
The Duke of Cambridge met refugees in a hotel in the city centre, before visiting a charity in Harehills
The Duke of Cambridge has praised the bravery of Afghan refugees after visiting a hotel in Leeds on Tuesday.
Prince William talked to those who risked their lives to work for the British Government, telling them they "couldn't be more welcome".
The prince was visiting a hotel in Leeds which is being used to accommodate refugees evacuated from Kabul following the Taliban takeover.
He told families: "The most important thing is that you are safe now. You have a bright future.
"You couldn't be more welcome.
"Thank you for all you have done for us."
Refugees describe "horrific" takeover
William was greeted by cheers and applause, before sitting down with two families who escaped Kabul in September.
Haroom Shahab, 33, told the prince he and his wife, Zehra Akbarti, 28, had to wait for 28 hours at the airport to move just 200 metres in order to get on a plane.
Mr Shahab described "horrific" scenes, with thousands of desperate people running towards the runways, leaving the planes unable to land.
"They were running, they were desperate, in front of the oncoming aircraft. That was very hard for us," he said.
"We were trying to get out of the country because our lives has been torn to shreds.
"When we got to the UK we finally knew we would be safe. The Taliban are killing people without compassion - policemen and their families just gunned down.
"Anyone with a link to British or NATO forces or government."
Meanwhile, another man, Hussain Saeedi Samangan, 38, told William he fely very welcome in Yorkshire, and was optimistic for a "bright exciting future" in the UK
He was accompanied by his wife, Masooma, 31, who had been editor-in-chief of a newspaper in Kabul, and sons Daniel, 10, and Arian, one, who entertained the royal visitor with his antics.
William asked whether they thought the "new" Taliban would be a different regime.
Shaking his head, he said: "No. We know what the Taliban wants, we know they have not changed and that we couldn't trust them."
He said: "We are settling in well, we are making friends. Daniel said to me this morning he had made 11 friends at school."
"Eleven friends?" William said, "You have more than I have, Daniel."
The prince ended his visit meeting families who had successfully relocated to the UK some years ago, including Omidullah Ahmadi, 32 - who had worked as a translator for British militar - and his wife, Santga, 26.
William said: "Everyone over here feels connected to you. There's a lot of love for you and your families.
"What you have had to give up and what you have achieved here. You are a shining example for those following you now."
Enver Solomon, chair of the Refugee Council, said: "What you are seeing in Leeds is a shining example of what has been been done across the country to give these families the best possible welcome."
Prince praises charity in Harehills
Before leaving Leeds, William also visited CATCH, a youth-led charity based in Harehills, which helps young people in the area with high levels of antisocial behaviour.
He played table tennis at the centre which provides recreational activities for its young members.
CATCH provides a weekly activity session for children evacuated from Afghanistan, giving young refugees the opportunity to socialise and integrate in a relaxed, fun setting.
The centre offers pool tournaments, computer games, movie nights, sports activities, a gym, poly-tunnels where horticulture can be taught and a community cafe which is open to the public.