In 2009, Prince William swapped royal comfort for a frozen pavement under Blackfriars Bridge — a single night that shaped two decades of work tackling homelessness.
Inspired by Princess Diana’s Legacy
William’s connection to the cause began young. At 11, he visited The Passage shelter with Princess Diana, who made sure her sons saw life beyond palace walls. After graduating in 2005, he became patron of Centrepoint, the youth homelessness charity his mother supported.
Centrepoint CEO Seyi Obakin recalls William’s approach: “He didn’t want to be an ornamental patron. He wanted to understand the issue.” When William suggested sleeping rough in 2009, Obakin joined him. Cardboard, biting winds, and the hum of London traffic replaced palace comforts.
Quiet Volunteering and Hands-On Support
During the COVID-19 lockdown, William worked behind the scenes at The Passage — preparing meals, delivering food, and staying long past his scheduled shifts. CEO Mick Clarke says, “People experiencing homelessness can tell if someone’s authentic — with him, it’s real.”
From Experience to Action: The Homewards Plan
In 2022, William launched Homewards, a five-year initiative in six UK regions aiming to make homelessness “rare, brief, and unrepeated.” The program brings together charities, housing providers, and councils to trial long-term solutions.
Former Prime Minister Gordon Brown says the prince’s influence is changing public attitudes, reframing homelessness as solvable rather than inevitable.
Yep. Don't forget Prince William slept outside with the homeless. pic.twitter.com/wbAGahteP0
— MASR (@robi60589) April 24, 2025
A Lasting Commitment
Ending homelessness won’t happen by royal decree. But William’s street sleep in 2009 remains his blueprint: get close, listen, and act. For many, the grainy photo of a young prince in a sleeping bag still speaks volumes — proof that even a future king can choose concrete over comfort when the cause demands it.
