Prince William Marks Key Milestone In Cause Close to His Heart Inspired by Late Mother, Princess Diana

Simon PerryTue, June 30, 2026 at 1:26 PM UTC

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Prince William, June 30 2026, Princess Diana and Prince William, March 1997Credit: Alberto Pezzali / POOL / AFP via Getty; Tim Graham Picture Library/Getty -

Prince William is marking the third anniversary of his ambitious project to tackle homelessness

His Homewards initiative, inspired by the work of his late mother Princess Diana, is scheduled to run for five years

Six locations around the U.K. are trying different schemes to help the people experiencing homelessness

Prince William is celebrating a milestone in his campaign to tackle homelessness, following in the footsteps of his late mom, Princess Diana.

William joined supporters and friends to mark the third anniversary of his initiative Homewards, which attempts to tackle the issue in the U.K.

William, 44, who has been committed to easing the plight of the people experiencing homelessness for many years, met leaders and businesses that have partnered with Homewards on Tuesday, June 30 at the Tate Modern art gallery in London. The dad of three heard how the organization is helping people into stable homes and employment, as well as spotting the signs of risk and providing support long before a crisis occurs.

Prince William signs a mural as he takes part in a special event for his Homewards project, in London, on June 30, 2026Credit: Alberto Pezzali - WPA Pool/Getty

"Homewards is already proving that preventing homelessness is possible," William said in a speech highlighting the importance of early detection.

"Three years ago, just a few miles from here, we set out to answer a simple question: can we show that homelessness can be prevented?" William said. "Today, we are beginning to see the answer. Yes. For too long, homelessness has been seen as a problem to manage [but] we are seeing measurable signs of change."

Later on June 30, William is set to visit a Homewards center in Aberdeen, Scotland, to see how local businesses are helping provide furniture and household items for Homewards-backed properties.

Prince William chatting to delegates at the Homewards event at Tate Modern, London on June 30, 2026Credit: Alberto Pezzali - WPA Pool/Getty

William was first introduced to the issue of homelessness by his late mother, Princess Diana. "As I visited homelessness shelters and charities from an early age, I saw the tireless work being done on the frontlines - fighting to feed, house and care for people who had reached their lowest point," the Prince of Wales said on June 30.

"Since then, I have met countless individuals affected by this crisis. In every conversation, it is clear, there is no single cause of homelessness. Each of their lives might have taken very different paths had the right support been available at critical moments. Had helped arrived earlier."

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William added, "No child should face the prospect of being homeless" and concluded his speech by urging supporters and Homewards leaders "to redouble our efforts. To ask for more. To bring more people on this journey. To keep challenging the status quo and prove what is possible when we come together."

Prince William at the Homewards event, Tate Modern, London on June 30, 2026Credit: Alberto Pezzali - WPA Pool/Getty

His ambition doesn't stop with Homewards, however, and he's hoping their success pioneering projects can be replicated elsewhere. "The next two years are about proving that what works in six locations can work across the country. Because if homelessness can be prevented here, it can be prevented anywhere," William said.

The prince's commitment to the issue was inspired by his late mother Princess Diana , and last year, on what would have been her 64th birthday on July 1, he marked the second year of Homewards. At the time he was praised by former U.K. Prime Minister Gordon Brown for his leadership on homelessness.

“Remember, his mother changed people's views on AIDS, his mother changed people's views on landmines, and I think he's changing people's view that you've got to think of a homeless person as an individual who has potential — who if given the proper chance, can actually make something of their lives and not as someone to be discounted as a down-and-out," Brown said.

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The leaders from the U.K. organizations were joined at the event by more than 30 delegates from across the world, who added the expertise of their experiences and shared their thoughts on how prevention of homelessness can be applied at scale.

Shaped by the example of his late mother, who brought him and his brother Prince Harry, 40, to shelters and charity centers from a young age, William became a patron of Centrepoint in 2005, one of the homeless charities Diana had long supported. In 2009, he spent a night sleeping on the streets of London to deepen his understanding of the issue. He later added another of his mother's homelessness causes, The Passage, to his roster of patronages — continuing her legacy through action.

In addition, William has gradually involved his children in the issue. Last December, he surprised those working at a London shelter, The Passage, when his son, Prince George, joined him to help out at a pre-Christmas lunch.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”