The Prince of Wales has shared that his mother, Diana, remains a powerful source of “inspiration and guidance” in his dedication to addressing homelessness.
In an upcoming ITV documentary, Prince William discusses how early visits to The Passage, a London-based homelessness shelter, shaped his awareness of life “beyond the palace walls.” His memories of those visits with his mother have led him to instill similar values of empathy and understanding in his own children.
“When I was young, my mother began conversations about homelessness—similar to how I now speak with my children about it on school runs,” says Prince William.
Prince William’s commitment to The Passage charity offers insight into his character and values. This charity, which aids London’s homeless by providing shelter and support, has received his backing for years, with his childhood experiences there laying the groundwork for his Homewards initiative to combat homelessness nationwide.
Recalling his early experiences at the charity with his mother, William shares, “My mother took Harry and me to The Passage. I was probably around 10 or 11, and it was unlike anything I’d encountered. I felt nervous about what to expect.” He continues, “My mother effortlessly helped everyone feel at ease, bringing laughter and joy.”
William remembers his surprise at finding such a welcoming atmosphere, despite initially expecting sadness. To mark this legacy, The Passage recently released unseen photos of William’s visits with his mother in 1993.
The documentary also captures William recalling meaningful moments from his visits, such as playing chess and chatting with shelter visitors. He notes that these encounters opened his eyes to the challenges faced by others, sparking a lifelong commitment to the cause.
Appointed patron of The Passage in 2019, Prince William’s visits—both private and public—have continued. In the documentary, he is seen serving food at the shelter’s Christmas dinner and sharing hugs with attendees, even taking lighthearted instruction from the shelter’s head chef, Claudette Dawkins.
Expressing concern for those facing severe hardships, Prince William explains how he has immersed himself in learning about homelessness. He now feels compelled to take practical action to prevent it, emphasizing that his prominent role comes with a responsibility to drive change on significant issues like homelessness.
“With my platform, I feel an obligation to make a difference,” he says. “I’ve spent years listening to stories and feel almost guilty that I’m not doing more each time I leave. I want more than just talk; I want to help make people’s lives better.”
William views his Homewards project, launched to address homelessness in six pilot locations across the UK, as a step toward lasting solutions. Inspired by Finland’s success in reducing homelessness through stable housing and supportive services, his ultimate goal is to set a replicable model for others to follow.
Mick Clarke, CEO of The Passage, reflects on William’s hands-on approach: “He’s at ease when he’s engaging directly with our clients, making them feel comfortable.”
In the documentary, William engages with individuals like Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, a former rough sleeper who is now a chief fire officer and an advisor on his project. Lord John Bird, founder of the Big Issue, also supports the initiative, praising William’s dedication to continuing his mother’s legacy.
“He could easily live a carefree life, but instead, he’s chosen to follow in his mother’s footsteps and address homelessness,” says Bird. “Diana was a trailblazer in this area, and William is determined to carry her legacy forward.”
Prince William: We Can End Homelessness airs on ITV1 on October 30 and 31 at 9 p.m.
