FOLLOWING IN HIS MOTHER'S FOOTSTEPS THE PRINCE OF WALES ROLLS OUT AN AMBITIOUS PLAN TO ERADICATE HOMELESSNESS IN THE U.K. AND BEYOND

He was 11 years old when his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, took him to a homeless shelter for the first time

- EMILY NASH

That visit to The Passage in London made a huge impression on a young Prince William and has inspired him to teach his own children – Prince George, 9, Princess Charlotte, 8, and Prince Louis, 5 – about the plight of those living on the streets or in temporary accommodation.

Now, it’s driving one of his most ambitious projects to date: a mission to prove that homelessness can be eradicated.

With the launch of his five-year Homewards program in what would have been her birthday week, the Prince of Wales, 41, is sending a clear signal that he’s honouring Diana’s memory.

“This is something that means so much to him, and it meant so much to his mother,” says a royal insider. “It was that first visit to The Passage with his mother that has inspired this work, and he has been involved with every detail of this project.”

GIVING HOPE 

The future King’s aim is to create a blueprint for tackling homelessness – not just in the U.K. but in other countries, too.

“In a modern and progressive society, everyone should have a safe and secure home, be treated with dignity and be given the support they need,” he said.