Prince William and Prince George join Christmas lunch at The Passage, continuing Diana-era charity bond

LONDON — Prince William and Prince George spent about an hour Tuesday at The Passage, a central London homelessness charity, helping prepare a Christmas lunch for people who might not have a place to celebrate the season. The outing showcased a hands-on role for the royal couple, who were accompanied by staff and volunteers as they set up long tables and greeted service users before joining others for the meal at the St. Vincent’s centre.

In a video the couple shared on social media, George can be seen in an apron, getting his hands dirty in the kitchen by preparing yorkshire puddings and hanging a decoration on a Christmas tree, while William tended a large pot of brussels sprouts and offered encouragement to volunteers. Aston Villa crackers were laid out on the tables, a nod to the royal family’s shared football ties to the club.

Mick Clarke, chief executive of The Passage, said George is a Villa fan and noted the lighthearted banter that often accompanies William’s visits. Clarke described the moment as relaxed and familial, underscoring how the charity’s staff and volunteers welcomed the next generation of royal involvement with the same warmth that has long characterized William’s work there.

The young prince also helped to sign a visitor’s book that William and Diana had previously used in 1993. Clarke highlighted the moment as poignant, saying it tied together decades of involvement and offered George a window into his father’s past with the charity. William told his son about the long association with The Passage and introduced him to staff, including the centre’s head chef, Claudette Dawkins, who has appeared in a documentary with the prince.

The visit featured preparations for the No Night Out campaign, a The Passage initiative that aims to prevent homelessness by offering early support and resources before someone loses housing. Clarke noted that the family’s presence carried a message about the charity’s mission and the importance of early intervention in keeping people off the streets during winter and beyond.

A tree donated by Westminster Abbey, linked to Catherine, Princess of Wales’s annual carol service, stood nearby as a symbol of continuity between the royal family’s charitable activities and The Passage’s work. Clarke described a “nice synergy,” saying it was fitting for George to help decorate a tree that tied back to his mother’s service and the family’s broader charitable footprint.

During the visit, William introduced George to Brian and Sarah, a couple who found stability through The Passage after rough sleeping. The pair spoke about how the charity helped them secure housing and rebuild their lives, and William and George spent several minutes chatting with them before moving back to the kitchen area. Clarke said the moment underscored William’s relaxed, genuine approach to philanthropy and the family’s ongoing commitment to the charity.

In total, the father and son helped prepare portions of the Christmas lunch, assemble care packages containing about 30 items such as vouchers, toiletries, socks, and snacks, and assist with meal-service logistics for guests who would attend later in the day. The pair’s involvement followed years of collaboration between William and The Passage, including earlier visits to the centre during Diana’s lifetime and subsequent engagements when George was young.

William and Kate shared photos from the outing on social media after the visit, thanking staff and volunteers for their work and highlighting The Passage’s mission to prevent homelessness and support people in rebuilding their lives. The charity noted that the princes left with three teddy bears for the couple’s children and with food hampers intended for residential centres.

The afternoon at The Passage culminated with the royal family gathering for a Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace. The day’s events reflected a long-standing family commitment to The Passage, dating back to Diana’s introduction of William to the charity when he was about 11 years old. Clarke summarized the day as a meaningful “full-circle” moment, illustrating how the charity’s work has remained central to the royal family’s charitable identity for more than three decades.