Prince William took a trip down memory lane on Friday as he visited a homeless charity in Victoria, London. The Duke of Cambridge last visited The Passage some 23 years ago when he was a young boy, accompanying his late mother Princess Diana on her engagement.
William, 33, was presented with a special gift – a framed photograph of himself, Diana and his brother Harry taken in 1994. This was the second time that the Prince had visited the charity as a youngster. His first visit was in 1993.
Homeless ambassador Mark Smith said: "He remembered the T-shirts they had on. It was just so touching. He laughed – he found it quite strange that we still had a photograph of him as a child with his mum."
© Photo: TwitterPrince William received a framed photograph of himself, Diana and Harry
William gave a speech, praising the charity which has helped over 10,000 people in crisis since it was founded in 1980.
He also reminisced on the past, saying: "The visits I made as a child to this place left a deep and lasting impression upon me – about how important it is to ensure that everyone in our society, especially the poorest, are treated with respect, dignity and kindness, and are given the opportunities to fulfil their potential in life."
William had the honour of opening their newly refurbished centre, as well as see how the charity is helping the city's homeless transform their lives for the better.
The Prince, who wore a smart navy suit and tie, was introduced to one of the charity's beneficiaries Alex Reid, who spent more than five years on the streets. Alex showed the royal around his flat, and admitted that he had spent the morning and previous evening cleaning it for his guest of honour.
© Photo: TwitterThe picture was taken in 1994 during a visit to The Passage
William was given a tour of the research centre, which now has a winter garden, training space and medical centre. He also stopped by the restaurant to chat to staff, volunteers and people who are supported by the charity.
In the arts room where a project worker was teaching people how to make gifts, William was given a necklace for his wife Kate and some bracelets for his brother Harry.
"She will love that," he said. "I might get some brownie points."
© Photo: TwitterWilliam was given a tour around Alex's flat
The visit will no doubt have brought back memories for William, who was 11 when he first joined his mother Diana on the engagement. William's brother Harry, who was nine at the time, also took part.
The visit was seen as fairly controversial at the time and a real departure from traditional royal duties. From then on, William and Harry regularly visited hostels for homeless people with their mother Diana, and learnt about services that combat the problem.
William paid the ultimate tribute to his mother by continuing to champion her cause after Diana's death in 1997. He became a patron of Centrepoint, a homeless charity for young people, in 2005. He even slept rough on the streets of London in December 2009 at the height of winter.
The future King bedded down next to wheelie bins under Blackfriars Bridge with Centrepoint chief executive, Seyi Obakin, and his private secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton.
The group almost got run over by a roadsweeper during the night, although William said that he took away a lot from the experience. He was able to appreciate "the importance of tackling all the issues that cause people to be homeless and stay homeless, from drug dependency to mental health problems," St James' Palace said at the time.
