The Duchess of Edinburgh paid a visit to Kent today to mark the 20th anniversary of the Kent Refugee Action Network (KRAN).

Her royal highness Sophie Helen Rhys-Jones unveiled a plaque at KRAN’s headquarters in Simmons Road, Canterbury in what was her first public engagement in the county since she was given her new title.

KRAN was first established in the city in 2003 and works to support separated refugees and asylum seekers aged from 16 to 24 who had arrived in Kent alone.

Her royal highness, for whom Kent is her home county, spent the day meeting staff, past and present trustees and joined a Learning for Life class, where she gave an impromptu lesson on the royal family tree.

The refugees were discussing family trees, and the Duchess joined in illustrating the royal family tree.

She also spent time with KRAN Youth Influencers Osama and Rishan, and Youth Ambassadors Grmalem, Luwam, Obaida and Shahab.

KRAN’s origins started in the late 1990s when various groups and individuals came together in response to large numbers of refugees and asylum seekers arriving in Dover.

In 2003, they formed the network with the support of Refugee Action.

In 2007, KRAN established its first base at the Riverside Youth Centre at Kingsmead, Canterbury.

This is when the Riverside Project was born and offered literacy, numeracy, life skills and activities to refugees.

Eight years later, KRAN moved to its current home in Wincheap and there soon followed an expansion of staff and services.

Chief Executive Officer Razia Shariff said: “We were honoured to welcome Her Royal Highness to mark the beginning of KRAN's 20th anniversary celebrations.

“She was able to learn first-hand about the work we do and to hear from the young people themselves - it’s their voices that need to be heard!".

During her visit to Kent the Duchess of Edinburgh also visited the Kent & Medway Medical School based in the University of Kent and arrived by helicopter in the school field of Kent College Canterbury, an independent school.

She also paid a visit to Brockhill Performing Arts College, in Hythe and was pictured chatting to staff and pupils as she presented them with a LEAF Education Demonstration school award.

Ann Whitbourn, one of KRAN’s founders and former Chair of Trustees, added: “I have had much pleasure watching KRAN grow and develop.

“This has been down to staff, volunteers, trustees and the young people themselves who have worked hard to provide a programme that meets the changing needs of those with whom we work.

“I believe that KRAN provides a vital service in an increasingly difficult situation and, very importantly, enables the voice of the young people to be amplified.”