Prince William is revisiting one of his most intense childhood memories, which he had with his brother, Prince Harry.
Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, the Prince of Wales’ upcoming two-part documentary, will air on ITV in the U.K. on October 30 and 31. It offers a unique, in-depth look at his five-year Homewards program, which aims to demonstrate that the United Kingdom can eradicate homelessness.
In a new clip from the October 26 documentary, William recalls how his late mother, Princess Diana, first introduced him and Harry to The Passage. This UK charity aids those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness.
“My mother took Harry and me to The Passage together. I was maybe eleven or ten years old at the time.” In the video, William makes his first public reference to Harry in several years, saying, “I had never been to anything like that before, and I was a little nervous about what to expect.”
He highlights Diana’s inherent ability to calm everyone’s worries.
“My mother went about her usual, making everyone feel relaxed, having a laugh, and joking with everyone,” according to him. “I remember thinking at the time, ‘Well, if everyone doesn’t have a home, they’ll all be unfortunate.'” However, it was astonishing how cheerful the setting was.
William, reflecting on the event, shares, “I remember having some wonderful talks, playing chess, and speaking, and it dawned on me that there were other people out there who didn’t have the same life as you.” In your youth, you believe life is what you see and have no idea where else to look. That’s when you meet someone, like I did back then, who opens your eyes to a new perspective and says, ‘Well, I was living on the street last night,’ and you go, ‘Woah.'” I recall that happening.”
Prince William has been the patron of The Passage since 2019. Since his initial visit to the charity with his brother, Harry, he has returned numerous times.
In a 2017 interview with Newsweek, Harry also discussed the event, stating, “My mother played an important role in showing me an everyday existence, including sending me and my brother to visit homeless people.” Thank heavens, I’m not entirely detached from reality. People would be astounded by the regular lives William and I lead.”
William’s remarks come amid persistent tensions between the brothers. Reports widely suggest that William’s concerns about Harry’s rapid progress in his relationship with Meghan Markle sparked tensions between Harry and William in 2016. Harry and Meghan announced in 2020 that they would be leaving their royal responsibilities.
The brothers last appeared together in August during their uncle Lord Robert Fellowes’ memorial ceremony. They apparently did not engage with one another while there.
Sources previously told PEOPLE that Harry’s attempts to contact William via texts, calls, and messages were rejected.
According to a royal insider, the gap with Prince William is “very bad,” but it is not “irreparable.”
William’s documentary, which airs on October 30 and 31, will follow him as he launches Homewards across the United Kingdom, as well as the travels of others who are currently homeless or have personal experience with the problem. The documentary will also feature well-known program proponents as well as people in charge of particular programs around the United Kingdom.
The Royal Foundation describes Homewards as “a five-year program that aims to demonstrate that it’s possible to end homelessness by working with six locations across the UK to put collaboration at the heart of the response.”