DIANA'S LEGACY

PRINCE William says he is inspired by his mother as he goes on a personal crusade to end homelessness.

- JANINE YAQOOB

We'll see the Prince of Wales like we've never seen him before in a two-part ITV documentary being shown this week.

He vows to use his position to make a difference with his ambitious Homewards project.

And he opens up about educating his children about the issue - just as Princess Diana did with him and brother Harry.

William says on the programme: "I have taken some inspiration and guidance from what my mother did, particularly with homelessness.

That has grown more over the last few years.

"When I was very small my mother started talking about homelessness - much like I do now with my children on the school run." The documentary shows William on a visit to the same homelessness charity where his mum first took him when he was 11, along with brother Harry.

Down-to-earth and unguarded, he embraces people at a Christmas lunch and happily clears away plates and glasses while having a chat.

Previously unseen images flash across the screen, in which we see the young prince playing chess with a man at The Passage in London in 1993.

He recalls: "I had never been to anything like that before and I was a bit anxious at what to expect.

"But Mother went about her usual part of making everyone feel relaxed, having a laugh and joking with everyone.

"I remember thinking if no one has a home everyone would be really sad but it was incredible how happy an environment it was.

"I remember having good conversations, playing chess and chatting.

"That's when it dawned on me that there are other people out there who don't have the same life as you do.

"She made sure when we grew up that the life outside the palace walls was real."

It's a message William passes on to his kids George, 11, Charlotte, nine, and Louis, six.