I'm so proud to be part of this family...

William shows his passion for ending homelessness

- SASKIA ROWLANDS and CHARLOTTE FOSTER

THE Prince of Wales painted a mural to help celebrate 20 years as patron of the life-changing youth homelessness charity Centrepoint.

William also paid a visit to meet some of the young people the organisation helps.

He told staff: "The Centrepoint family is one I am very proud to be a part of and I can't thank you all [enough] for all the hard work you give to help other people. It's amazing to think, in 20 years, how much has changed and been achieved." Cutting a three-tiered chocolate cake, he said: "[This] massive cake signifies the love and the generosity and the time you all give to helping other people - so make sure you take a piece." At the charity's new offices in Whitechapel, east London, William met Ellie, 23, who had become homeless aged just 17. She was helped by Centrepoint's Independent Living Programme an affordable housing scheme for 18- to 24-year-olds and now lives at the charity's Reuben House in Peckham, south London.

William opened the facility in June 2023. Ellie said: "I spoke to William about how it's been since he opened the building and the lives that he's helping.

"As soon as I mentioned Reuben House, he remembered and knew what I was talking about. It just shows he genuinely cares - I think it's a testament to his character. It's interesting because he's getting to see the results of the place he opened.