Prince William is going on a personal crusade to end homelessness, inspired by his mother, Diana.
A two-part ITV documentary is being shown next week, showing the Prince of Wales like we’ve never seen him before. Airing on Wednesday 30th October and Thursday 31st October, the two-part serious is titled ‘Prince William: We Can End Homelessness’.
The ambitious project sees the Prince of Wales aiming to make a difference to his country with the Homewards programme, and to tackle the epidemic of homelessness. Filmed over 12 months, the documentary promises to feature powerful stories of those currently facing homelessness, and the solutions that are offered to them.
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In a promo video for the series, Prince William is seen in the hot seat, being interviewed. The interviewer probes: “Some people might question whether you’re the right person to lead this project and its efforts to end homelessness. How would you respond to that?”
(Image: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
Keeping calm, a pensive William responded: “I think everyone having a right to a safe and stable home benefits us all. I come with no other agenda than desperately trying to help people in need, and I see that as part of my role.
“Why else would I be here if I’m not using this role properly, to influence and help people where I can? And I like a big challenge, I do like that, but I can’t do it on my own.”
The 42-year-old Prince opened up about educating his children on the issue – just as Princess Diana did with him and brother Harry. William said: “I have taken some inspiration and guidance from what my mother did, particularly with homelessness.
(Image: The Passage/PA)
“And that has grown more over the last few years. When I was very small my mother started talking about homelessness – much like I do now with my children on the school run.”
“…She made sure when we grew up that the life outside the palace walls was real.”
It’s a message William passes on to his kids George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six. “When you are that young you are curious, you just want to know what is going on,” he said.
(Image: Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace)
“We saw homeless people on the streets and you just ask, ‘Why are they sitting there?’ and my mother would talk a bit about why they were there and it definitely had a big impact.
“I am starting to introduce homelessness to my children on the school run. The first few times I thought, ‘Do I bring this up or should I wait to see if anybody noticed?’ Sure enough they did and they were just, sort of silent.
“After I said what was going on, I could see their brains try to work out what that means. I do think it’s really important that we start those conversations when the children are small so they’re not just living, you know, in their own little worlds.”
Prince William: We Can End Homelessness airs 30th and 31st October at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX, STV and STV Player