Prince William echoed his mother’s legacy as he made a surprise visit to a homelessness charity yesterday.
The Prince of Wales donned an apron as he joined the Christmas Party for the Passage charity, of which he is a patron.
He has previously spoken of the influence the charity has had on him since he was a young child, when Princess Diana took him to see their work.
Prince William, who arrived without Princess Kate or their children by his side, could be seen chatting to staff in the kitchen as they prepared an enormous roast dinner for the homeless people the charity supports.
Organisers shared a “special thank you” to the Prince, “who joined us to prepare and serve food, and meet with those we support.”
Many fans noted the significance of William continuing his mother’s work.
One said: “Princess Diana would be proud that Prince William is continuing her legacy work in homelessness.
“He is doing what she wanted.”
The fan shared a video directly comparing the Prince of Wales’ appearance at Passage to clips of Diana meeting with homeless people.
Another added: “Goodness and loyalty radiate out of this King in waiting every time I see him.”
Prince William said he was “deeply moved” when he visited Passage with Diana as a child.
On December 7 he shared a video explaining the “great work” of the charity.
He added: “Having a place to call home is such a precious thing. Each and every day the Passage works tirelessly to achieve a society where homelessness doesn’t exist and where everyone has a place to call home.”
A keen advocate of homelessness prevention, Prince William was seen selling copies of the Big Issue in West London earlier this month.
The future king put on a red cap and jacket to sell the magazine to people outside Tesco in Hammersmith with vendor Dave Martin, 61, who has been a friend of the royal since they first hit the streets selling Big Issue copies together 18 months ago.
In a piece written by William for the magazine, he described the impact on him of seeing Diana’s charity work.
He added that she, “in her own inimitable style, was determined to shine a light on an overlooked, misunderstood problem”.
The Prince of Wales also launched his Homewards project earlier this year to end homelessness.
He said at the time: “In a modern and progressive society, everyone should have a safe and secure home, be treated with dignity and given the support they need.
“Through Homewards, I want to make this a reality and over the next five years, give people across the UK hope that homelessness can be prevented when we collaborate.”
