Prince William: My mother would be disappointed at lack of progress in ending homelessness
The Prince of Wales has admitted that his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, would be “disappointed” that the issue of homelessness had not improved since she campaigned against it three decades ago.
The Prince will appear in a short film to be broadcast during the BBC’s Red Nose Day coverage on Friday, having spent time with Groundswell, a homelessness organisation funded by Comic Relief.
He says in the film: “My mother introduced me to the cause of homelessness from quite a young age, and I’m really glad she did.
“I think she would be disappointed that we are still no further on in terms of tackling homelessness and preventing it than when she was interested and involved in it.”
The Prince was first taken to a homeless shelter by his mother when he was just 11, a visit that left a “deep and lasting impression” and instilled values he has carried ever since.
The late Princess was a patron of Centrepoint from 1992 until her death in 1997, a role later inherited by her eldest son.
She is said to have snuck out of Kensington Palace to leave coats in bins for homeless people to find.
And she is also said to have been determined that both princes William and Harry understood the immensely privileged position they held and the comparative struggles of others.
The Prince of Wales, who is patron of both Centrepoint and The Passage, recently vowed to open the eyes of his own three children to the problem. He has described how he points out homeless people on the school run and explains the difficulties they face.
In December 2009, he spent a night sleeping on the streets of London. Last year, he spent a day selling The Big Issue and meeting vendors.
Last June, the future king pledged to continue shining a light on the "solvable issue" of homelessness.
After the coronation, he is expected to announce the details of a major project about homelessness that will be a key focus for several months.
The Red Nose Day film will show the heir to the throne meeting two people who have experienced homelessness, Nawshin and Miles, as they record a podcast as part of Groundswell’s Listen Up! Project.
Miles says in the film: “Homelessness is about not having a safe space - it’s a very isolating life. You exist, you don't live. Groundswell helps to give a voice to people who have experienced homelessness. People who experience homelessness have solutions if you just ask them – they know what needs changing.”
Nawshin says: “I didn’t have a choice but to leave home - I had a lot of childhood trauma and circumstances happened around me that were out of my control. Coming to Groundswell and being supported to share my story has really helped me. It is powerful for people to actually listen.”
