Prince William was dapper as ever in a navy velour suit, as he arrived for The Centrepoint Awards at The British Museum on Wednesday.
The royal, 42, who is a patron of the homelessness charity appeared to be in good spirits as he attended solo, without his wife, the Princess of Wales, who has been working on a slow return to public life following the news that she has finished with her chemotherapy treatment.
The Centrepoint Awards celebrate the achievements of young people who have transformed their lives after experiencing homelessness.
Earlier this week, the King’s eldest son – who is due to give a speech tonight – revealed he took ‘inspiration’ and ‘guidance’ from his mother Princess Diana in his work to end homelessness.
Speaking in a new preview for his upcoming ITV documentary Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, William showed the behind the scenes journey of his campaign Homewards.
Prince William was dapper as ever in a navy velour suit, as he arrived for The Centrepoint Awards at The British Museum on Wednesday
The exclusive ITV documentary charts the first year of his campaign to end homelessness.
The future king has set his sights on making rough sleeping, sofa surfing and temporary accommodation a thing of the past in his ambitious five-year initiative programme called Homewards.
William said in the clip: ‘I’ve slowly tried to work out what I can bring to the role and platform that I have.
‘I have taken some inspiration and guidance from what my mother did, particularly with homelessness.’
In the short video, posted to Instagram, William was seen speaking to former English footballer Farah Williams, who was herself once homeless – and others working with Homewards.
‘I don’t believe we should be living with homelessness in the 21st century,’ William added.
The Prince of Wales described it as a ‘unique opportunity’ to create lasting change, as he builds on the legacy of his late mother Princess Diana.
The two-part series, which has the working title Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, will follow William as he launches Homewards across the country.
The royal, 42, who is a patron of the homelessness charity appeared to be in good spirits as he attended solo, without his wife, the Princess of Wales, who has been working on a slow return to public life following the news that she has finished with her chemotherapy treatment
William pictured with Nicholas Cullinan (right), Director of the British Museum and Seyi Obakin (left), Chief Executive of Centrepoint
William, pictured with Nicholas, is expected to give a speech at tonight’s Centrepoint Awards being held
The Centrepoint Awards celebrates the achievements of young people who have transformed their lives after experiencing homelessness
William sported black leather shoes as he arrived for the event which honours the charity he is patron of
The future King appeared in high spirits as he arrived to show support for homelessness initiatives
The cause is very dear to his heart, as it was to his mother, the late Princess Diana. William pictured on Wednesday
William was in good spirits as he walked up the stairs for the event – where he is due to give a speech
The royal wore a crisp white shirt under his navy velour blazer, which was teamed with a bowtie
The royal smiled and chatted with other attendees as he made his arrival for the awards at the British Museum
William wore a black bowtie to bring his look together. He is expected to give a speech at tonight’s event
Earlier this week, the King’s eldest son revealed he took ‘inspiration’ and ‘guidance’ from his mother Princess Diana in his work to end homelessness
The future king has set his sights on making rough sleeping, sofa surfing and temporary accommodation a thing of the past in his ambitious five-year initiative programme called Homewards
William, who has long spoken on the matter passionately, tonight looked sophisticated in his navy blazer, black trousers, and a bowtie – as well as some facial hair, which he has been sporting since the summer
It will involve stories from those who are currently experiencing homelessness or have previously been homeless.
Well-known advocates of the programme and individuals leading projects across the UK will also feature.
William, who has long spoken on the matter passionately, tonight looked sophisticated in his navy blazer, black trousers, and a bowtie – as well as some facial hair, which he has been sporting since the summer.
It’s been a busy day for the royal, who earlier handed New Zealand’s prime minister Jacinda Ardern a damehood during an investiture held at Windsor Castle today.
Prince William was handing out the honours, and his friendship with Jacinda, 44, was on full show as the two interacted.
Smiling broadly in each other’s company, the two friends were pictured looking comfortable as the Prince of Wales pinned the honour onto her sash, near her waist.
The mother-of-one donned a navy blue maxi dress in a silky fabric, with short sleeves, a conservative round neckline, and generous skit.
She paired the frock with a pair of black heeled pumps. Meanwhile, her brunette locks were styled into a low bun, with two tendrils left loose to hang at either side of her face.
New Zealand ‘s prime minister Jacinda Ardern (pictured, left) received a damehood during an investiture held at Windsor Castle today
Prince William (pictured, left) was the royal handing out the honours, and his friendship with Jacinda (pictured, right) was on full show as the two interacted, smiling during the event
Meanwhile, Prince William looked dapper in dress uniform and a pair of classic black Oxford-style shoes.
Other people honoured at today’s investiture, which saw 57 people recognised, included ultra-runner Jasmin Paris, 40, from Midlothian, who was made a Member of the Order of the British Empire (MBE).
Veterinary lecturer Dr Paris completed some of the toughest and most gruelling races around the world.
She made history by becoming the first woman to complete the 100-mile Barkley Marathons in Tennessee in March this year – just one of the
She made it across the finish line with 99 seconds to spare before the 60-hour cut-off. Dr Paris won the British Fell Running Championships in 2015 and again in 2018, and she had previously held the record in the Bob Graham Round, a fell running challenge in the Lake District, and the Ramsay Round near Fort William.
Outside of running, Dr Paris is a senior lecturer in small animal medicine at the University of Edinburgh and a mother of two.
Former sports minister Tracey Crouch, who led a review of football governance in the wake of proposals for a breakaway European Super League, was also given a damehood.
The Prince of Wales’ former chief aide, Jean-Christophe Gray, was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order (LVO).
FRIENDS: The pair have shown their close bond before, when Prince William (pictured, left) greeted Jacinda (pictured, right) with a traditional Maori touch of the noses called a hongi during a two-day visit to New Zealand in 2019
He joined William in 2021 – the year after Megxit – and was in situ during the launch of the prince’s Homewards project to tackle homelessness and his transition to heir to the throne after Queen Elizabeth II’s death.
His departure from Kensington Palace earlier this year came following news the Waleses were planning to restructure their household with a new chief executive.
The closeness exhibited today by the royal and the former New Zealand PM isn’t the first time their friendly bond has been caught on camera.
In 2019, during a two-day visit to New Zealand, the prince commemorated Anzac Day.
The then-Duke, who cut a sombre figure, donning a navy suit during the ceremony at Auckland’s War Memorial Museum, was joined by then PM-Jacinda Ardern.
William greeted Jacinda with a traditional Maori touch of the noses called a hongi.
According to reports, Jacinda was appointed a Dame Grand Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the 2023 King’s Birthday Honours for her services to the state.
The appointment came just months after her shock resignation as PM.
Jacinda Ardern (pictured, left) was one of 57 people who were recognised at the investiture ceremony today
The former PM of New Zealand (pictured, right) released a statement ahead of today’s event, saying it would be would be a ‘really special day’
Her official citation listed her response to the Covid-19 pandemic, ‘positioning New Zealand as having one of the lowest Covid-19 related death rates in the Western world’.
It also listed her leadership in response to the 15 March terrorist attacks.
In a statement ahead of today’s ceremony, the former PM said: ‘It will be a really special day – but amongst it all, it will be home that I will be thinking of.
‘For me, accepting an honour is a way to say thank you to my family, those I worked with, and all the people who supported me to undertake a role that will forever be the greatest privilege of my life.’
She added that her family would be joining her for the event, as well as Whaea Esther Jessop from the London Māori club Ngāti Ranana – which had allowed her don one its ceremonial clocks (called kākahu) for the ceremony.
