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Duchess Kate visits teams who assisted in Afghanistan evacuation

0:26
Prince William and Kate can now add 'YouTubers' to their resume!
Steve Parsons/Pool via Getty Images
ByCarson Blackwelder
September 15, 2021, 4:13 PM

Duchess Kate made her first public appearance in more than two months on Wednesday.

The Duchess of Cambridge, 39, visited RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, England, to meet with those involved in the United Kingdom's evacuation of thousands of people from Afghanistan.

Britain's Kate, The Duchess of Cambridge meets military personnel during a visit to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, England, Sept. 15, 2021.
Frank Augstein/AP
Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge arrives to meets those who supported the UK's evacuation of civilians from Afghanistan at RAF Brize Norton on Sept. 15, 2021, in Brize Norton, England.
Steve Parsons/Pool via Getty Images

In the wake of the Taliban's takeover of the country, the Royal Air Force undertook the largest humanitarian aid operation in more than 70 years as the UK ended its 20-year military campaign in Afghanistan.

Operation PITTING saw the RAF fly out more than 15,000 people from Kabul between Aug. 14 to Aug. 28. More than 850 people arrived in the country via RAF Brize Norton.

During her visit, the duchess met with everyone from military personnel, including RAF aircrew and medics, to civilians and volunteers who helped evacuees in Operation PITTING through a repatriation center at the base. In addition to the RAF, the Royal Navy, the British Army and aid organizations assisted in the mission.

Britain's Kate, The Duchess of Cambridge meets military personnel during a visit to RAF Brize Norton in Oxfordshire, England, Sept. 15, 2021.
Frank Augstein/AP
Britain's Catherine, Duchess of Cambridge, visits the RAF Brize Norton to meet military personnel and civilians who helped evacuate Afghans from their country, in Britain, Sept. 15, 2021.
Steve Parsons/Pool via Reuters

This is the first time Kate has been photographed in public since appearing at two major sporting events on July 11.

The duchess attended the UEFA Euro 2020 Championship with her husband, Prince William, and their oldest child, Prince George, and attended the 2021 Wimbledon Championship finals.

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  • Royal Family

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