Prince William Admits He’s ‘Nervous About the Challenge’ Surrounding This Aspect of His Royal Work

Mar. 15, 2025

Prince William, Prince of Wales attends a Homewards Sheffield Local Coalition meeting at the Millennium Gallery in Sheffield, northern England on March 19, 2024.Photo:OLI SCARFF/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

OLI SCARFF/POOL/AFP via Getty Images

When it comes to eradicating homelessness,Prince Williamwon’t accept the status quo.

“I don’t believe that, and I don’t — I won’t accept that,” he continued.

Prince William behind the scenes of his ‘Prince William: We Can End Homelessness’ documentary.Andrew Parsons/Kensington Palace/Shutterstock

Andrew Parsons/Kensington Palace/Shutterstock

“What I want to see, and I think she would want to see, is action and movement and change,” William said of his mother and the work he’s doing to combat homelessness. “You know, my mother introduced me to homelessness a long time ago, and it’s something that had a deep resonation with me. Not just because of the moments I had, but because of the connection I felt. And I know that sounds weird, but when you feel human connection with somebody who’s been in deep trouble, I challenge anyone not to feel a desire to help.”

Princess Diana, Prince Harry and Prince William attending the VJ Day 50th anniversary celebration in London.Antony Jones/Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty

Antony Jones/Julian Parker/UK Press via Getty

Though the Prince of Wales said in part one that he was around 10 or 11 years old when Princess Diana took him and Prince Harryto a homeless shelter for the first time, he said in part two that he first began discussing the issue with his mother when “I was very small. I think probably I must have been 8 or 9, I think. And my mother started talking about homelessness, so I was probably on the school run. And I remember at the time asking questions as to why, how, who is that? Well, why they’re sitting there? You know, when you’re that small, you’re just curious and kind of trying to work out what’s going on.”

The prince spoke in part one and in previous interviews about talking to his own childrenPrince George, 11,Princess Charlotte, 9, andPrince Louis, 6, about homelessness while they’reon the school runup to the present day.

In the documentary, Prince William said, of his work to end homelessness, “I think I’m feeling optimistic. I’m feeling enthusiastic. I’m nervous about the challenge and scale of what we’re going to do, and last thing you want to do is start something that you can’t finish.”

“I’m not sitting here saying I’m going to sort of, you know, solve the entire world’s homelessness problems. But I am going to show people how to prevent homelessness,” he added. “Providing high-quality temporary accommodation that will lead on a pathway to more permanent accommodation, allowing people to thrive, prosper, rebuild their lives and go on to be a part of community and feel like they belong somewhere. And that is crucial.”

Prince William, Prince of Wales waves as he visits the East Belfast Mission at the Skainos Centre as part of his tour of the U.K. to launch a project aimed at ending homelessness on June 27, 2023 in Belfast, United Kingdom.Tim Rooke -Pool/Getty

Tim Rooke -Pool/Getty

With six locations targeted as part of the ambitious initiative, akey cornerstone of William’s work as a royal.

“Homewards is challenging the theory that we can’t do anything about homelessness,” he said in the film. “There is definitely something we can do, and we need the business community to be engaged and go, ‘Do you know what, on my doorstep, this is actually happening.’ And it’s good for the community, but it’s also good for business, and it’s good for my business to do something about it.”

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Lainey Port, 21, is interviewed for the documentary and said of Prince William, “He ain’t never had it hard in his life, you know. Like, he’s never had to choose between a washing machine or food for the night. But I think he knows enough.”

“And even, you know, if he can’t maybe end homelessness everywhere, he can change people’s attitudes towards the people that are homeless,” she added.

Prince William: We Can End Homelessnesswill be available on Disney+ in the U.S. beginning on Nov. 1.

source: people.com