He said at the time: “My mother introduced me to the cause of homelessness from quite a young age, and I’m really glad she did. I think she would be disappointed that we are still no further on in terms of tackling homelessness and preventing it than when she was interested and involved in it.”

William is the patron of Centrepoint, a youth homeless charity centre in the UK, and The Passage, which he first visited with Diana when he was 11 years old. Last year, he also set up his ambitious Homewards project, a five-year initiative aiming to tackle all forms of homelessness and change perceptions about what rough sleeping really means in 2024.

William has spent a great deal of time researching the issue. As well as visits to numerous homeless charities, he hit the streets with Big Issue vendor Dave in 2022, ahead of his 40th birthday. He later wrote about the experience in an article for the publication.

“While I may seem like one of the most unlikely advocates for this cause, I have always believed in using my platform to help tell those stories and to bring attention and action to those who are struggling,” he wrote, in part. “I plan to do that now I’m turning 40, even more than I have in the past. So, for my part, I commit to continue doing what I can to shine a spotlight on this solvable issue not just today, but in the months and years to come. ”

He also pledged to follow in the footsteps of his mother by getting his own children involved. “In the years ahead, I hope to bring George, Charlotte and Louis to see the fantastic organisations doing inspiring work to support those most in need – just as my mother did for me. As she instinctively knew, and as I continue to try and highlight, the first step to fixing a problem is for everyone to see it for what it truly is.”