ROYAL FAMILY
How did the late Princess Diana inspire son Prince William’s new project?
With his father and brother getting much of recent attention in the media, the heir to the British throne has launched a new initiative.
Prince William launched a five-year project on Monday, aiming to end homelessness in Britain, citing his late mother Princess Diana’s influence on raising awareness of the crisis when he was a child. The “Homewards” scheme, which will operate in six towns and cities, seeks to develop innovative solutions applicable nationwide.
Prince William vows to end homelessness
Reflecting on his formative years, the wealthy 41-year-old prince shared, “My first visit to a homelessness shelter was when I was 11 with my mother. The visits we made left a deep and lasting impression. I met so many extraordinary people and listened to so many heartbreaking personal stories.”
As part of his efforts to raise awareness and engage with stakeholders, the prince embarked on a two-day tour across the country. At the launch event, Prince William reunited with Dave Wilson, whom he joined last year to sell copies of the “Big Issue” magazine on the streets of London. Reflecting on his past actions, he noted, “In 2009, I slept rough on a winter’s night to highlight the issue.”
How much is Prince William donating to homelessness initiative?
The Royal Foundation, headed by Prince William and his wife Kate, will contribute £3 million ($3.8 million) to the initiative, providing funding, expertise, and partnerships. Expressing his vision for the project, Prince William stated during the launch at the Mosaic Clubhouse in south London, “Over the next five years, I believe that we have a unique opportunity to develop innovative new solutions and scale tangible impact. Through Homewards, we will demonstrate that together we can finally end homelessness.”
Highlighting the urgency of the situation, the Royal Foundation reports that more than 300,000 people, including half a million children, currently experience homelessness or live in temporary accommodation, vehicles, hostels, or with relatives. Charities have expressed concerns that these numbers are expected to rise due to the ongoing affordability crisis.
How many homes does Prince William own?
While praised by many, the prince’s involvement has also drawn criticism. Graham Smith, chief executive of anti-monarchy group Republic, questioned the prince’s participation.
“The last thing we need is for William to get involved in this issue, a man who has three huge homes and a vast estate gifted to him by the state. It is crass and hypocritical of William to get involved in this issue.”
This issue of what the prince actually owns has been a hot topic of discussion since the initiative’s announcement. When the Queen died last year, William, moving into first in line, saw his wealth grow significantly. Inheriting the private Duchy of Cornwall estate from his father, established by King Edward III in 1337, which boasts a vast expanse of land and property, covering nearly 140,000 acres, primarily located in southwest England. Finland is one country that has been pointed at as an example of how to do things better.
According to the estate’s recent financial records, its estimated value stands at approximately £1 billion ($1.2 billion). The revenue generated from this estate serves to support the public, private, and charitable endeavours of the Duke of Cornwall, a major title he now holds.
Despite the criticism, Prince William appears committed to his mission, driven by a desire to combat homelessness and create positive change. Some hope that this announcement is just the first step in truly helping the poorest in society to get back on their feet, something that has been actively worked against under over a decade of Conservative rule, where the rich-poor divide has grown ever wider.