Prince William personally helped a former army colleague and his family flee Afghanistan

Prince William personally stepped in to make sure an Afghan officer he knew from his Sandhurst days was able to flee Afghanistan and get both him and his family to safety.

• Prince William stepped in after hearing of the plight of his former comrade.
• The soldier and his family members nearly didn't escape.
• In other royal news, Teenage photo of Kate Middleton and Prince William has royal fans fawning.

Prince William's move comes only weeks after Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were criticized for their comments on the crisis in Afghanistan. 

The Duke of Cambridge personally intervened to make sure that the Afghan officer, who he knew during his time at the military academy Sandhurst, through the gate at Kabul Airport. This meant the soldier and his family could escape the country and find safety.

In a time when many are wondering how to help Afghanistan, the heir to the British throne did what he could to help the soldier after hearing of his plight.

The Telegraph (opens in new tab) reports that he heard of the former cadet's terrifying experience and his struggle to take his extended family to safety as the country fell to the Taliban in a matter of weeks.  

The Afghan officer in question had dedicated his life and been an integral part of Britain's military operation in the country. His professional history means that he and his family group of more than 10 would have been even more at risk than other Afghans. 

According to the publication, Prince William reached out to his equerry, Naval officer Rob Dixon, to make some important phone calls on the royal's behalf.

Although he's stepped down from his military career to be a full-time professional royal, the Duke of Cambridge has often spoken fondly of his time in the armed forces.

Back in 2006, Prince William undertook the 44-week commissioning course at the elite Royal Military Academy at Sandhurst. His career then took him to the Household Cavalry, the Royal Air Force, the Royal Navy, and later he trained to be a search and rescue pilot. 

After three years with the RAF the heir to the British throne then worked as a search and rescue pilot for East Anglian Air Ambulance for just over two years from March 2015.

During this time, he and the Duchess of Cambridge were based in their country residence, Anmer Hall, which was a wedding gift from the Queen. The young family moved their base to London, taking up residence in Kensington Palace, in time for Prince George to begin school.