Prince William Travels to Scotland for Key Campaign as Kate Middleton Returns to Work Behind the Scenes

Mar. 15, 2025

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Prince Williamis in Scotland promoting his mission to end homelessness.

On Sept. 19, the Prince of Wales, 42, stepped out in Aberdeen to meet people working to end homelessness in the area and representatives from the Homewards Aberdeen Coalition.King Charles' son made the trip to thank those working to support those experiencing homelessness.

Addressing homelessness is a key focus of Prince William’s public royal work, and his spokespersonhas creditedWilliam’s late motherPrincess Diana’s attention to the issue as an inspiration theHomewardsprogram, of which Aberdeen is a participating city.

William’s trip to Aberdeen — which is about an hour fromBalmoral Castle, the royal family’s summer retreat is Scotland — comes a week after his wife,Kate Middleton, announced that she has completedchemotherapy treatmentin an emotional video message.

The Princess of Wales, 42, revealed in March that she was receivingtreatment for cancerand has been outside of the limelight for much of this year to privately prioritize her health.

William’s first stop was a visit to the Shelter Scotland’s local office to learn more about the services they offer for those who are on the brink of being unhoused or are experiencing homelessness. The charity works to defend the right to a safe home and address the impact of thehousing emergencyon society. Shelter Scotland is part of the Homewards Aberdeen Coalition and will provide early intervention support for young people, honing in on training around financial literacy, tenancy skills and other educational programs for local schools, colleges and universities.

There, Prince William got to meet staff at the Aberdeen office and individuals who have been supported out of homelessness through the organization.

William also met individuals to hear about their experiences in the local area and delivered a brief speech.

“When I launched Homewards last year, I made clear our determination to work in collaboration to demonstrate that it is possible to end homelessness — making it rare, brief and unrepeated.   We knew from the outset, Homewards would only be successful if we built on all your incredible work, knowledge and insight,” Prince William said in part.

“As you all know too well, homelessness is a complex issue. The wide variety of roles and expertise present today reflects that — from those that work in street outreach, to support workers, youth workers, mental health nurses, housing officers and night shelter managers,” he continued. “Just like our emergency services, you are the people who are there for others when they are in greatest need, providing unconditional care, compassion and humanity.”

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In June 2023, the Prince of Wales launched Homewards with The Royal Foundation to create lasting change to help end homelessness for good. Aberdeen is one of six U.K. locations (and the only one in Scotland) tapped as a flagship for the locally-led campaign, providing residents with the right resources to spark solutions around preventing and ending homelessness.

Though Homewards was established as a five-year program, it’s about much more than just the next several years for William — he has made clear that he is invested in this work for the rest of his life and is rooted in his experience alongside his late mother, Diana.

“This is something that means so much to him, and it meant so much to his mother. That first visit to The Passage has really inspired this work,” the Prince of Wales' spokesperson said when Homewardswas unveiledin summer 2023.

Prince William speaks with Homewards Advocate Gail Porter at the Homewards Aberdeen event in Aberdeen, Scotland on Sept. 19, 2024.Russell Cheyne - WPA Pool/Getty

Ahead of Prince William’s visit to Aberdeen, his office at Kensington Palace announced that Blue Light Card, the U.K.’s leading discount provider for emergency services, NHS, the country’s social care sector and its armed forces, welcomed the homelessness workforce into its community. In doing so, Blue Light Card became an “Activator” of William’s Homewards program, according to a release.

Prince William at Shelter Scotland in Aberdeen, Scotland on Sept. 19, 2024.Kenny Elrick - WPA Pool/Getty

Kenny Elrick - WPA Pool/Getty

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“This workforce may not be as easily identifiable as uniformed blue light workers like nurses, doctors, police or firefighters, but we see them,” Alidad Moghaddam, chief executive officer at Blue Light Card, said in a statement. Moghaddam continued, “Preventing and ending homelessness can only be achieved with the continued dedication of these very special people, and the impact they have is why they are so deserving of an offer that’s dedicated to them. If we can play even a small part to support their health and wellbeing and show how much we value and appreciate them, we will do that.”

Prince William (second right) at Shelter Scotland in Aberdeen, Scotland on Sept. 19, 2024.Kenny Elrick - WPA Pool/Getty

source: people.com