Prince William left stunned by harrowing risk children and teenagers in UK are facing: 'That's terrifying'

Prince William visited Depaul UK in London
Prince William visited Depaul UK in London
Kirsty Wigglesworth
Cameron Walker

By Cameron Walker


Published: 20/01/2023

- 08:46

Updated: 14/02/2023

- 10:21

The Prince of Wales made the comment during a royal engagement in London

Prince William has said it is "terrifying" that children as young as 13 are at risk of becoming homeless in the UK.

The heir to the throne visited Depaul UK in London yesterday, which specialises in supporting young people who are often the most vulnerable in society.


Prince William asked staff: "What age group are you seeing actual risk of homelessness starting?"

The Prince of Wales talks with client Ruth (surname not given) during a visit to Depaul UK's London hub to highlight the work they are doing to help young people experiencing homelessness or insecure housing, as well as prevent it occurring in the first place. Picture date: Thursday January 19, 2023.
Prince William met staff from education and employability programmes during the visit
Kirsty Wigglesworth

The future King was told that aged "13 and upwards" had already suffered "relationship breakdowns" at home, to which he replied: "It starts so young, that's terrifying."

During the visit, the Prince met with staff from the education and employability programmes, as well as several current and former service users.

Following in his mother's footsteps, The Prince of Wales is a "passionate advocate" for the homeless and those at risk of it.

Princess Diana visited Depaul UK three times in the 1990s and opened the first Depaul Trust Hostel in Willesden in June 1995.

Depaul UK was founded more than 30 years ago in response to the growing number of young people sleeping rough on the streets of London.

Since then, the charity has grown and developed across the county and delivers homelessness prevention services through education, employment and mental health support.

The Prince of Wales during a visit to Depaul UK's London hub to highlight the work they are doing to help young people experiencing homelessness or insecure housing, as well as prevent it occurring in the first place. Picture date: Thursday January 19, 2023.
Prince William's mother Princess Diana visited Depaul UK three times in the 1990s
Kirsty Wigglesworth

Depaul also leads the award-winning "Nightstop" service which provides emergency accommodation in the homes of trained and vetted hosts across the UK.

A key theme of Prince William's work this year is expected to be homelessness and, last year, The Royal Foundation (which looks after his charity work) advertised for a 'Head of Homelessness Programme' to lead a project aiming to prove it is possible to deliver "lasting change" to help those without a home.

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