Prince William marks Diana's birthday with his mission to end homelessness

News24

16 hours ago

Prince William has chosen a meaningful date to mark the progress of his mission to end homelessness.
On 1 July – what would have been Princess Di's 64th birthday – the royal visited his Homewards initiative in Sheffield on the project's second anniversary.
The charity organisation spans six regions across the UK: Sheffield (South Yorkshire), Newport (Wales), Aberdeen (Scotland), Northern Ireland, Lambeth (London), and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole (Dorset).
In an open letter to the regions ahead of his visit, William acknowledged that his initiative is very much in 'delivery mode'.
'Your experiences are what makes Homewards unique and powerful,' he wrote. 'I am immensely proud to say that your collective effort has already allowed us to achieve lasting impact.'
I am confident we can lead and inspire understanding, empathy and optimism that homelessness can be ended
Prince William
'While visiting the six locations, I have been inspired by the motivation, creativity, and expertise that is embodied in each location and the tangible difference you are making for some of society's most vulnerable.'
'Keep going!' he signed off.
The plight of the homeless is a cause that has long resonated with the future heir to the throne, who shares his mother's compassion for the less fortunate.
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As children, he and his brother, Prince Harry, often accompanied Diana on her visits to homeless shelters.
This early exposure has translated into lasting action. In 2022, William memorably took to the streets to sell copies of The Big Issue, a publication that advocates for homeless individuals and provides them with income opportunities through street sales.
The 42-year-old is also patron of two of the organisations his mother supported, Centrepoint and The Passage, both of which offer support and resources to the homeless.
'I was 11 when I first visited a homeless shelter with my mother, who in her own inimitable style was determined to shine a light on an overlooked, misunderstood problem,' he wrote in an article for the outlet.
He wrote about the positive changes The Big Issue has helped bring, while noting that homelessness 'is still seen by many as some entrenched phenomenon over which we have little power'.
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'And although we can't fix all of that at once, I refuse to believe that homelessness is an irrevocable fact of life,' he wrote. 'It is an issue that can be solved, but that requires a continued focus and comprehensive support network.'
He added that he hopes to turn his three children onto the cause.
'And in the years ahead, I hope to bring George, Charlotte and Louis to see the fantastic organisations doing inspiring work to support those most in need – just as my mother did for me.'
He reflected on his mother's intuitive ability to address complex issues, explaining that he plans to use her approach to guide his efforts.
'As she instinctively knew, and as I continue to try and highlight, the first step to fixing a problem is for everyone to see it for what it truly is.'