On what would have been Princess Diana’s 64th birthday, Prince William is turning remembrance into action. Prince William will be honoring her legacy by championing one of the causes she held closest to her heart: ending homelessness.
He has chosen July 1 — what would have been Princess Diana’s 64th birthday — to mark a significant moment in his mission to end homelessness across the U.K.
The Prince of Wales will visit Sheffield to spotlight the second anniversary of his Homewards initiative, a five-year program he launched in 2023 to make homelessness “rare, brief, and unrepeated.”
The date is deeply personal. As children, both William and Prince Harry were brought by their mother to visit shelters, an experience that left a lasting impact on them.
Diana helped humanize homelessness and showed her sons the importance of compassion and advocacy — something William now carries forward.
Homewards Initiative Gains Momentum Across the U.K.
Over the past two years, Homewards has launched more than 100 local projects across six pilot regions: Sheffield, Newport in South Wales, Aberdeen in Scotland, Northern Ireland, Bournemouth, Christchurch, and Poole, as well as Lambeth in London.
One of the most notable milestones to date: securing more than $50 million in financing from Lloyds Bank to support housing development in those areas. Homewards called the investment a “groundbreaking moment,” and hopes it will inspire further institutional investment in affordable housing.
Prince William’s Open Letter Commends Progress
Ahead of his visit, Prince William released an open letter to the six participating regions, thanking them for their dedication and encouraging them to maintain their momentum.
“Your experiences are what make Homewards unique and powerful,” he wrote as per the letter published by SkyNews. “We have the ability to harness our collective capabilities, expertise, and resources towards this common cause.”
He praised each location for identifying groups most vulnerable to homelessness and taking proactive steps to protect them.
“While visiting the six locations, I have been inspired by the motivation, creativity, and expertise that is embodied in each location and the tangible difference you are making for some of society’s most vulnerable,” he said. He signed off: “Keep going!”
Experts Say the Prince’s Presence Is Driving Real Change
Lydia Stazen, former Executive Director of the Institute of Global Homelessness and a Homewards National Expert Panel member, says the initiative is “exactly where I would expect the program to be at this point.”
She notes that after the pandemic, burnout in the homelessness sector was high, and Homewards arrived with much-needed “fresh energy.”
According to a report in People, she said, “It’s why Homewards has been able to get where it’s got in two years — because there is that excitement and leadership. And that comes [in the Prince’s case] from a really heartfelt place.”
William Will Celebrate Major Homewards Milestone in Sheffield
During his visit on July 1, Prince William will meet with representatives from all six Homewards pilot regions, each working to tailor solutions to their community’s unique challenges.
According to GBNews, he’ll also visit a local school in Sheffield to witness the impact of Upstream — a youth-focused early intervention model inspired by Australia’s Geelong Project, which has achieved a 40% reduction in youth homelessness.
The day will also mark a powerful milestone, as William celebrates the first residents moving into homes built under Sheffield’s Innovative Housing Project.
This visit is more than an engagement on the royal calendar — it is the culmination of two years of tireless groundwork, partnerships, and belief in a vision where homelessness is not inevitable. With every meeting, every handshake, and every new home, Prince William is carrying forward the legacy of his mother, one rooted in empathy, dignity, and meaningful change.
“I am confident we can lead and inspire understanding, empathy, and optimism that homelessness can be ended,” he wrote. And with actions like these, it’s clear he’s not just honoring Diana’s memory — he’s building on it.
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How Prince William Plans to Honor Princess Diana on Her Birthday This Year