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Never-before-seen photos released of Prince William with mother Diana visiting homeless charity
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Never-before-seen photos released of Prince William with mother Diana visiting homeless charity

Prince William He opened up about how a powerful childhood experience with his brother and late mother helped shape his work fighting homelessness.

In the Prince of Wales’ upcoming documentary, “Prince William: We Can End Homelessness,” the 42-year-old heir to the British throne recalls visiting The Passage, a British homeless charity, with his late mother , Diana. William visited the charity for the first time when he was 11 years old.

“My mother took me to El Pasaje; She took Harry and I there,” William says in a newly released clip from the two-part documentary.

“I’d never been to anything like this before and I was a little anxious about what to expect.”

Prince William, seen here playing chess during a visit to The Passage on June 14, 1993, has been the organization's royal patron since 2019. - The Passage via ReutersPrince William, seen here playing chess during a visit to The Passage on June 14, 1993, has been the organization's royal patron since 2019. - The Passage via Reuters

Prince William, seen here playing chess during a visit to The Passage on June 14, 1993, has been the organization’s royal patron since 2019. – The Passage via Reuters

He describes how Diana eased her nerves by “laughing and joking with everyone.”

“I remember at that moment thinking, ‘Well, if everyone doesn’t have a home, everyone is going to be very sad.’ But it was amazing how happy the atmosphere was,” William continued.

“I remember having good conversations just playing chess and chatting. That’s when I realized that there are other people who don’t have the same life as you.”

Filmed over a year, the documentary follows the initial stages of William’s Homewards initiative. Founded by the prince and his Royal Foundation in June 2023, Homewards is a five-year program in six iconic locations across the UK that he hopes will prove that ending homelessness is possible.

The series, directed by BAFTA winner Leo Burley, features stories from people who are currently facing or have experienced homelessness.

The prince has long campaigned against homelessness. At an awards ceremony for homeless charity Centrepoint earlier this month, the prince said homelessness is “a complex social issue” but that he “passionately” believes it can be eradicated.

“Achieving this will require a movement that creates systemic change. A change that focuses on prevention rather than management. And to ensure that all young people have truly affordable options to live and thrive independently,” he said on October 16.

Diana, Princess of Wales, introduced her son, pictured here on December 14, 1993, to the problem of homelessness by taking him to The Passage when he was 11 years old. - The Passage via ReutersDiana, Princess of Wales, introduced her son, pictured here on December 14, 1993, to the problem of homelessness by taking him to The Passage when he was 11 years old. - The Passage via Reuters

Diana, Princess of Wales, introduced her son, pictured here on December 14, 1993, to the problem of homelessness by taking him to The Passage when he was 11 years old. – The Passage via Reuters

In the upcoming documentary, he also addresses criticism over whether he is the right man to address the topic given his privileged upbringing.

“I come with no agenda other than desperately trying to help people in need, and I see it as part of my role. “Why else would I be here if I’m not using this role properly to influence and help people in any way I can?” he said in another clip from the documentary released last week.

The Prince and Princess of Wales’s Royal Foundation says Homewards will “deliver and demonstrate innovative solutions that prevent and end homelessness, creating proven models that can be scaled up.”

The first episode of the documentary will air on ITV at 9pm local time on Wednesday 30 October. The second episode will air at the same time the next day.

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