Anne meets troops in Afghanistan

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Princess Anne has met British troops in Afghanistan - the first royal visit since soldiers were deployed in the south of the country earlier this year.

The Princess Royal saw British soldiers in Helmand province and visited Nato's headquarters in the capital Kabul as part of a two-day tour.

She also met Afghan President Hamid Karzai and Brigadier Ed Butler, commander of the UK's task force.

Brig Butler described the princess's visit as a "great honour".

He said he explained to her how he was "immensely proud of all the members of the task force".

"I have been hugely humbled by the raw courage and resilience of our soldiers, airmen and aviators.

"It is clear the Princess Royal was also deeply impressed."

Soldier meeting

Princess Anne - who is colonel of various units and regiments in the British armed forces - was accompanied on the trip by her husband, Rear Admiral Timothy Laurence.

They started their journey at the headquarters of Nato's force in Kabul and also visited troops in the city of Kandahar.

The Ministry of Defence said the princess then met officers and soldiers from the Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Signals and the Royal Logistic Corps.

She also met soldiers from regiments such as the Household Cavalry and personnel from RAF Lyneham.