Prince William inspired by Princess Diana in personal crusade to end homelessness

Prince William has opened up about his personal crusade to end homelessness, saying it is inspired by his mother. And the heir to the throne says Princess Diana’s compassionate example has spurred him to educate his own kids on the issue.

Talking on a landmark TV documentary to be shown this week, he says: “My mother introduced me to homelessness a long time ago.” William says on the programme: “I have taken some inspiration and guidance from what my mother did, particularly with homelessness. 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.”

The documentary shows William on a visit to the same homelessness charity where his mum first took him when he was 11, along with brother Harry. Down-to-earth and unguarded, he embraces people at a Christmas lunch and happily clears away plates and glasses while having a chat.

Previously unseen images flash across the screen, in which we see the young prince playing chess with a man at The Passage in London in 1993. He recalls: “I had never been to anything like that before and I was a bit anxious at what to expect. But Mother went about her usual part of making everyone feel relaxed, having a laugh and joking with everyone.

“I remember thinking if no one has a home everyone would be really sad but it was incredible how happy an environment it was. I remember having good conversations, playing chess and chatting. That’s when it dawned on me that there are other people out there who don’t have the same life as you do. 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 says. “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.