Prince William is spending the day in Scotland highlighting his campaign to help the unhoused.
The Prince of Wales, 42, teamed up with TV personality Gail Porter as well as entrepreneur and podcaster Steven Bartlett to showcase some of the latest ideas to help beat homelessness in Aberdeen, located in northeast Scotland, on March 27.
During his visit, William saw some of the first homes built on behalf of his five-year mission, Homewards. He is planning to visit the Innovative Housing Project alongside actress and writer Porter, 54, who is one of his Homewards Advocates.
Scotland-born Porter helps raise the profile of Prince William’s five-year mission, which sees six pilot areas around the U.K. trial different and location-specific ideas to tackle the issues the unhoused face. In each area, a coalition of homelessness charities, local authorities and businesses combine to do what they can to solve the issue.
Prince William in Aberdeen, Scotland, on March 27, 2025.
Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
Prince William’s practical mission kicked off in 2023, but his campaigning to end homelessness is something that started more than two decades ago. Inspired by his late mother, Princess Diana, who took him and his brother, Prince Harry, to homeless centers when they were kids, his adoption of the cause took shape when he started his public life after leaving college in 2005.
One of the first charities he officially took on was Centrepoint, and he followed up by joining forces with another homelessness charity, The Passage.
Prince William in Aberdeen, Scotland, on March 27, 2025.
Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
There is every reason to keep campaigning on the issue, especially where young people are concerned. Prince William’s office at Kensington Palace said that in 2023-2024, there was a 3.9% increase in young people becoming homeless in Aberdeen. Therefore, the Homewards Aberdeen Coalition has chosen to focus on young people as one of the initial groups where support will be targeted.
The royal started his day on March 27 at Aberdeen Foyer, which aims to prevent youth homelessness and poverty across the local community. Joined by Homewards Advocate Steven Bartlett, William participated in a workshop with young people to discuss the direction of Project Flourish and how it could best help them before meeting with local and national employers who will be part of Project Flourish, including Specsavers and Amey.
Flourish is the U.K.’s first pro bono recruitment service specifically designed to help young people at risk or experiencing homelessness secure meaningful employment. It was created by EveryYouth and Hays.
Nicholas Connolly, CEO of EveryYouth, said they are “delighted” that Homewards has “recognized the life-changing power of Project Flourish.” He added, “Many young people experiencing homelessness and those at risk of homelessness are desperate to work but their path is blocked by standardized recruitment practices and a lack of skilled support and resources. Project Flourish addresses these challenges and is already transforming lives. We cannot wait to see more truly inspiring stories as the scheme expands across the country.”
Prince William visits Aberdeen, Scotland on March 27, 2025.
Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
William also launched an initiative by recruitment agency Hays, which has become an “activator” for Homewards. Hays will not only support the program to secure national and local commitments for employment and training opportunities but also plans to share targeted, data-driven insights crucial to understanding and addressing employment barriers faced by those experiencing homelessness. The partnership will also roll out across the other five Homewards locations.
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Prince William in Aberdeen, Scotland, on March 27, 2025.
Andrew Parsons / Kensington Palace
Last October, as Homewards took shape, the royal starred in a two-part documentary on Disney+ about the organization, titled Prince William: We Can End Homelessness. Gail Porter was one of the contributors to the project.