William visits the homeless charity close to Diana’s heart
PRINCE William followed in his mother’s footsteps yesterday as he visited a charity helping young homeless people, some just nine years old.
The Prince of Wales was at the London hub of Depaul, which was also supported by Princess Diana who had three engagements with the organisation – including opening its first hostel in 1995.
The prince said he found it ‘terrifying’ that homelessness was affecting an ever-younger section of the population.
Depaul is helping children as young as nine stay off the streets, particularly in the wake of the Covid pandemic which has been a ‘major contributing factor’ for hundreds of people accessing vital services.
Asked about the prince’s visit, chief executive Mike Thiedke said of William’s mother: ‘She was so passionate about [people] falling through the cracks of a system – it seems that her sons have stepped into this.’
Nicola Harwood, executive director of services, said: ‘We are seeing children as young as nine or ten we are trying to support... so there’s quite a big age gap.’
A visibly shocked William said of homelessness: ‘It starts so young, it’s terrifying.’