New ITV documentary about Prince of Wales’ homeless project

The Prince of Wales will feature in a new documentary series focusing on his ambitious homelessness programme. Prince William, the future king, wants to end homelessness, sofa surfing and other forms of temporary housing through his Homewards initiative.

The two-part series, provisionally titled “Prince William: We Can End Homelessness,” delves into the first year of the program. It follows William as he ushers in Homewards in different regions across the UK and features stories from people who are currently homeless or have experienced it in the past.

The documentary will also highlight high-profile advocates of the programme and those leading individual projects across the UK. Homewards, a five-year project launched by William in 2023, aims to bring together a diverse group of individuals and organisations to create bespoke solutions to homelessness in areas including Newport, South Wales; Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch in Dorset; the South London Borough of Lambeth; Belfast; Aberdeen; and Sheffield.

Jo Clinton-Davis, ITV’s controller of factual programming, said she was excited about the project. “With access to the inner workings of this ambitious undertaking and the efforts of Prince William and his team, we hope to offer viewers a privileged glimpse into how they are tackling a pressing issue that affects so many people in the UK,” she said.

Director Leo Burley added: “Over the past year, we’ve followed Prince William and The Royal Foundation through the first year of the Homewards programme. We’ve come across incredibly moving stories from people experiencing different forms of homelessness. From street homelessness in Newport to families in temporary accommodation in Sheffield and homeless young people in Aberdeen, the documentary paints a comprehensive picture of homelessness in the UK today. Everyone we filmed was delighted with the attention that Prince William and Homewards are bringing to the UK’s homelessness crisis.”

Amanda Berry, CEO of The Royal Foundation, highlighted the power of television to bring about change. “Television can change hearts and minds. Homelessness may seem insurmountable, but by sharing the reality of people’s experiences and shining a spotlight on those who come together to support them, we can inspire action. This two-part documentary will raise vital awareness and show that by working together we can end homelessness,” she said.

William has long been passionate about tackling homelessness. He is the Royal Patron of the charity The Passage, a role he took on after visiting one of their shelters with his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, when he was just 11. In 2009, William spent a night on the streets to better understand the plight of homeless people at Christmas. For the past two years, he has also accompanied a Big Issue salesperson on his pitch.

The documentary series will air on ITV1 and ITVX this autumn.

Source: ITV