William takes George to homeless charity he visited as a child with Diana

Prince William and his 12-year-old son, Prince George, visited The Passage, a Westminster charity focused on helping people facing homelessness, on a trip that highlighted a family lineage of involvement with the organization. The outing, described by organizers as a hands-on learning moment, brought George to the charity last week so he could see first-hand how volunteers and service providers work to support people without stable housing. The visit came as the royal calendar marked the annual Christmas lunch service at Buckingham Palace, offering a contrast between two facets of royal life: public ceremony and direct charitable engagement.

The Passage, which operates in central London with an ethos drawn from the work of St Vincent de Paul, has long been a touchstone for William. He was brought to the charity by his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, as a child, and the current visit was framed as a chance to show George how communities rally to help the most vulnerable. The charity’s leadership described the moment as a meaningful return to a familiar place that has shaped William’s own sense of public service. George joined his father at the stove and at the table as volunteers prepared Christmas meals for those supported by the organisation. The pair helped in the kitchen, with George assisting with Yorkshire puddings while William tended to the sprouts, according to Mick Clarke, chief executive of The Passage.

Mr. Clarke recounted that the family’s presence had a warmth that echoed William’s own memories of his first visits. He described how the afternoon unfolded around a Christmas lunch prepared for about 150 people and noted the sense of continuity as George signed the charity’s visitors’ book on the same page once used by William and Diana in December 1993. “There was a little competition between father and son in getting the food ready,” Clarke said with a smile, adding that William and George both showed genuine interest in speaking with people who have used The Passage’s services. “A lovely kid,” Clarke added, describing George’s engagement and curiosity about the work the charity does.

The scene underscored the charity’s broader mission: to provide not just meals but a supportive, dignified environment for people experiencing homelessness. The Passage has long emphasized that poverty is a primary driver of homelessness and has highlighted risk factors such as addiction, mental health challenges, domestic violence, and traumatic events in families. In recent years, it has also drawn attention to links between homelessness and exploitation, including human trafficking and modern slavery. The organisation reported serving more than 3,000 people last year, underscoring the scale of need in Westminster and the surrounding area.

The visit also intersected with William’s public advocacy on homelessness through his Homewards campaign, which aims to address gaps in services and housing stability. William has spoken about his early experience of visiting The Passage with his mother, describing a mix of nerves and warmth upon arriving at the charity. In an interview last year, he recalled his mother’s approach: she “went about her usual part of making everyone feel relaxed, and having a laugh and joking with everyone.” He added that, despite his initial anxiety, he found the environment to be an incredibly hopeful place where people could feel recognized and supported. Those reflections help frame the current outing as part of a longer life in which the royal family has used public appearances to model practical care and community engagement.

The charity’s leadership highlighted the personal resonance of the visit for the family. Clarke noted that the signing of Diana’s name on the visitors’ book created a “lovely, beautiful moment,” with William pointing out to George that it was his mother’s signature and the first time she had brought William there. The moment was described as emotionally meaningful for the charity, symbolizing a full-circle arc from Diana’s decades of regular visits to William now bringing his son to learn from the same place. Clarke said the scene suggested that the family’s involvement was as much about teaching the next generation as it was about supporting those in need. The charity head framed the visit as a signal that the family wants to show children a life beyond the palace and to emphasize that “the most vulnerable in society are supported and looked after.”

The timing of the visit added a note of contrast to royal life: while The Passage’s Christmas lunch and the royal family’s Christmas lunch at Buckingham Palace occurred on the same day, the two events illustrated different approaches to the festive season. The Palace lunch is a formal, high-profile event often covered in full public view, while the The Passage visit demonstrated a hands-on, direct-service approach that puts beneficiaries at the center of the day’s activities. The juxtaposition reinforced a broader narrative about the royals serving as both ceremonial leaders and community volunteers who engage with people facing hardship.

The Passage has rooted its identity in Westminster since 1980 and remains a focal point for addressing homelessness in central London. Its work reflects a belief that poverty is not simply a lack of shelter but a complex intersection of factors including health, housing, and social vulnerability. The charity’s programming emphasizes dignity and belonging, with staff and volunteers offering practical meals, advice, and pathways to longer-term support. Clarke and other leaders publicly acknowledge the ongoing challenge of homelessness in the capital, noting that economic and social pressures continue to push people to the margins. By inviting William and George to participate, The Passage underscored a commitment to intergenerational engagement in addressing these issues and to showing younger generations what it means to care for others in their communities.

For observers, the visit carried a message about public service that transcends the palace’s formal duties. It demonstrated how members of the royal family can use their platform to highlight charitable work, while also providing a tangible example of how people can contribute to the well-being of others, regardless of their background. The event also offered a moment of human connection for the hundreds of people who rely on The Passage’s services, reminding them that their stories are part of the broader conversation about housing, poverty, and resilience in modern Britain. As William and George left the kitchen at The Passage, they appeared briefly to reflect the balance the royal family often seeks to strike between tradition and service, ceremony and solidarity.

The day’s events left employees and clients with a clear message: involvement at the ground level matters. The Passage’s leadership emphasized that the charity’s work is ongoing and that homelessness remains a persistent challenge in the heart of London. They highlighted the role of public figures in raising awareness and mobilizing resources, while underscoring that the real work happens daily in kitchens, shelters, and support centers across the city. For William and George, the experience could serve as a practical lesson in humility, service, and the importance of community networks that can help people rebuild their lives.

As the royal season continues, observers will watch how the family’s charitable engagements shape public understanding of homelessness and social welfare. The Passage visit stands as a notable example of how royal participation in community service can translate into broader conversations about care, housing policy, and the ways in which societies support those most in need. In the week ahead, charity officials said they would continue to pursue their programs while remaining open to partnerships and sponsorships that could expand their reach and deepen the impact of initiatives designed to help those experiencing homelessness regain stability and dignity.