'My life's work'

THE PRINCE OF WALES GEARS UP TO MAKE HIS MARK ON THE WORLD AS HE TACKLES A CAUSE THAT WAS VERY CLOSE TO HIS BELOVED LATE MOTHER’S HEART

- Kylie Walters

Twenty-five years after her death, Prince William’s mother is never far from his thoughts. And the heir to the British throne clearly had Princess Diana firmly in mind when launching his most ambitious charity project yet.

On June 26, the Prince of Wales unveiled his new $6-million plan, which promises to eradicate homelessness in the UK over the next five years. The timing of his big announcement, just days before what would have been Diana’s 62nd birthday on July 1, is no coincidence either. It was Diana who instilled the passion in her eldest son, after taking him and brother Harry for a visit to The Passage, a London homeless shelter, when William was just 11.

“The visits we made left a deep and lasting impression,” William explained while visiting the Mosaic Clubhouse as part of the launch. “I met so many extraordinary people and listened to so many heartbreaking personal stories. Too many people have found themselves without a stable and permanent place to call home.”