News EditorIn a forthcoming ITV documentary, Prince William, the Prince of Wales, reflects on how visits to The Passage homeless shelter with his mother, Princess Diana, profoundly influenced his commitment to combating homelessness. In the documentary titled *Prince William: We Can End Homelessness*, the prince discusses his childhood experiences and the empathy they inspired, emphasizing his drive to address homelessness and instill similar values in his children.
“When I was very small, my mother started talking about homelessness, much like I do now with my children,” William shares. The prince’s Homewards initiative, a flagship program across six UK locations, aims to address and eventually prevent homelessness in these regions, drawing on Finland’s model of secure accommodation and comprehensive support.
The documentary features Sabrina Cohen-Hatton, a former rough sleeper who became a chief fire officer, and Lord John Bird, founder of The Big Issue, who lauds William’s dedication. “He could live the life of Riley but instead has taken up the mantle his mother started,” Bird remarked.
As patron of The Passage since 2019, Prince William recalls memories of visiting the charity with his mother, including playing chess and having eye-opening conversations with residents. “That’s when it dawned on me,” he recalls, “there are other people out there who don’t have the same life as you do.”
In the film, William is shown volunteering at The Passage’s Christmas dinner, serving food, and clearing tables, demonstrating his hands-on approach to advocacy. “With my position and platform, I feel I should be delivering change,” he says. “I want to actually see someone smile because their life has been made better.”
Prince William: We Can End Homelessness will air on ITV1 on October 30 and 31 at 9:00 pm.
