Prince William recently revealed that he continues to take "inspiration and guidance" from his late mother, Princess Diana, as he champions a cause close to her heart: tackling homelessness. The future king's connection to his mother's charitable legacy became evident in his latest initiative, Homewards, which aims to make homelessness "rare, brief, and unrepeated" across the U.K. in the next five years. This candid admission highlights how Diana's memory continues to influence William's work, especially as he navigates the responsibilities of his royal role.
Speaking in a trailer for the upcoming ITV1 documentary Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, William, 42, reflected on the enduring impact of his mother's philanthropic efforts. "I've slowly tried to work out what can I bring to the role and the platform that I have," William said in the video, "I have taken some inspiration and guidance from what my mother did, particularly with homelessness." His words underscore how deeply Diana's legacy resonates with his work, a sentiment he carries into his charitable endeavors today.
In the documentary, William speaks with Fara Williams, a professional football player who experienced homelessness for six years. During their conversation, the prince acknowledged the disconnect between her success on the field and her struggles off it. "You played for England and Chelsea whilst you were homeless," he remarked, expressing disbelief that such a reality still exists. "I don't believe we should be living with homelessness in the 21st century," William added, affirming his commitment to addressing the issue.
For William, Diana's dedication to charity set a powerful example. The late princess was deeply involved in humanitarian work, particularly focused on homelessness, HIV/AIDS awareness, and child welfare. As the patron of Centrepoint, a leading youth homelessness charity in the U.K., Diana made a lasting impact in the field, one that her eldest son is now determined to build upon. She even brought William and his brother Harry along to visit homeless charities when they were children, fostering their empathy and sense of responsibility.
William's Homewards initiative, launched with The Royal Foundation of The Prince and Princess of Wales, draws directly from Diana's ethos of compassion. The program seeks to prevent homelessness by fostering collaboration across the country. "Homewards aims to give people across the U.K. hope that homelessness can be prevented by showing them the progress we can make when we collaborate," William said in a statement. "It's a big task, but I firmly believe that by working together it is possible to make homelessness rare, brief, and unrepeated."
Sources close to the prince describe his tribute to Diana as a "real sign" that he is "haunted" by her memory. William's reflection on his mother's absence is not just professional, but personal as well. He is said to feel heartache that she is not around to witness her grandchildren grow up, with her influence and presence touching nearly every aspect of his life. "Her presence haunts him nearly every moment of his life, and he knows it will continue to do so until he dies," a source shared.
In this documentary, William's drive to end homelessness is not just a royal duty but also a deeply personal mission shaped by his mother's legacy. The prince is following in her footsteps by taking up causes that address some of society's most vulnerable populations. Just as Diana worked tirelessly to bring attention to humanitarian crises, William is seeking to create lasting change through Homewards, ensuring that homelessness becomes a problem of the past.
The documentary not only explores William's commitment to addressing homelessness but also sheds light on how he has shaped his royal role by drawing strength from his mother's example. His dedication to the cause is evident in every facet of Homewards, and his candid reflections on Diana's influence show that her legacy is alive and well in his charitable efforts.
