S Poddar
Prince William has said he is driven by attacks on his privileged lifestyle and multiple residences to end homelessness in Britain. This is according to a two-part ITV documentary to be broadcast this week.
Actually, the documentary really handles its criticisms as it puts a recording of LBC radio host James O’Brien when referring to comments from Graham Smith, chief executive of Republic, an anti-monarchist movement. Smith proclaimed that homelessness is caused by government policy and investment and cannot be solved by charity or the work of the royal family.
When asked about his criticism of his five-year Homewards programme, Prince William says, “I think if I answered every critic, I’d be here all day.”. But you know, criticism propels you forward. He continues, “I think it’s right to question but I think, ultimately, we are pushing forward to deliver change and hope and optimism into a world that frankly has had very little of it for a long time. I hope I can bring something that’s not been done before.
Airing on Wednesday and Thursday, the documentary will chart the first year of the Homewards initiative as worked by William. In one programme he visits Nansledan, near Newquay, where the Duchy of Cornwall is building 24 homes. “I’m not sitting here saying I’m going to solve the entire world’s homelessness problems. But I am going to show people how to prevent homelessness,” he declares.
It can be seen that more than 350,000 in Britain do not have any permanent home. People at the age of between 16 and 24 increased above 130,000 while being homeless or facing this risk. These very raw statistics alone give a sense of gravity to the issue being tackled by Prince William.
Even there is an intimate glimpse of his private life in the film when, on the way to school, he reportedly talks with his three little ones George, Charlotte and Louis-about homelessness. Living in Windsor, the cases handled of such people within the local authority included 101 earlier this year while the number of overnight guests is recorded as 25.
Discussing some of his such experiences with his small brothers and sister, William commented, “The first few times I thought, do I bring this up? Or should I wait and see if any of them noticed? And sure enough, they did, and they were just sort of in silence after I had said what was going on. And I do think it’s really important that you start those conversations when the children are small, so that they understand the world around them and they’re not just living, you know, in their own little worlds.”
With this aim of creating real change and hope, Prince William has dedicated himself to eradicating homelessness. The Homewards programme is the blueprint on how homelessness can be prevented; it proves that even privileged people can utilize their resources and influence to solve societal problems.
By sharing personal experiences and openly discussing criticisms he receives, Prince William inspires others to join the effort to end homelessness. He believes that awareness and education in his own family and even throughout society can be a more empathetic and proactive society.
This documentary is as important in showing the work of Homewards, humanizes Prince William, and brings to the surface his resolution to using his position for further positive social good. Continuing in his campaign, he is sure to inspire other people to join in their effort, hence, contributing as a team towards solving the homelessness problems in Britain.
