Prince William says he has 'no other agenda' in defiant message to critics
Prince William has issued a defiant message to critics after being quizzed on whether he is the right person to lead a new campaign. The Prince of Wales is set to feature in an upcoming ITV documentary about his Homewards initiative.
The campaign aims to eradicate homelessness in six locations around the UK. In a teaser clip for the show, Prince William is asked if he is the right person to spearhead the project.
In response, he insists he has 'no other agenda' than 'desperately trying to help' people in need. He describes how he views his royal role as a way of helping where he can.
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In the clip, an interviewer probes: "There will be some people who might question whether you’re the right person to lead this project and its efforts to end homelessness. How would you respond to that?"
William replies: "I think everyone having a right to a safe and stable home benefits us all. I come with no other agenda than desperately trying to help people who are in need. And I see that as part of my role, is that, why else would I be here if I’m not using this role properly to influence and help people where I can?"
William has several homes – his main home Adelaide Cottage, in Windsor, as well as his Anmer Hall mansion, in Norfolk, and Apartment 1A, in Kensington Palace. When his father became King, he inherited the Duchy of Cornwall estate – a portfolio of land, property and investments valued at more than £1billion.
He is entitled to its annual £23million profits as his private income, Mirror reports. William previously announced plans to build houses on Duchy land to tackle homelessness, with 24 homes in Nansledan, Newquay.
He also said there woud be 'wrap-around support' for local people to create a path to a permanent home. In the brief clip, the prince described how he liked a 'big challenge' but needed support to combat homelessness.
William said: "And I like a big challenge, I do like that, but I can’t do it on my own." Prince William was filmed during the first year of his Homewards initiative.
The campaign is a major long-term focus for William, who has told how visiting shelters as a child with his late mother Princess Diana left a lasting impression and inspired his work. Six Homewards locations have been chosen – Newport, Lambeth, Belfast, Aberdeen, Sheffield and three neighbouring Dorset towns, Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch.
Prince William: We Can End Homelessness will broadcast on October 30 and 31 at 9pm on ITV1 and ITVX, STV and STV Player.