In the spirit of giving, Prince William has kept his promise to a former homeless young person and has agreed to do an interview with her for The Big Issue. The Prince met Sophia Kichou a few years ago when she staying in one of the hostels run by charity Centrepoint, of which William is a patron.
During their meeting, Sophia told William her dreams of becoming a journalist and he agreed that one day she could interview him.
She became homeless at the age of 18 when she was forced to move out, after it became dangerous living with her alcoholic father. Sophia's mum sadly passed away when she was a little girl.
© Photo: TwitterSophia Kichou, a journalism student, became homeless when she was 18
Determined to change her circumstances, Sophia turned to Centrepoint for help and with their support, she was admitted into college and went on to study journalism at City University. Last month she was awarded the Centrepoint Media Award for her skills in journalism by Prince William.
The royal and dad-of-two then invited Sophia, who is in her final year, to conduct the interview at Kensington Palace – something she called "a very significant moment" in her career.
"At the beginning, I was a little nervous but as the interview went on, my nerves calmed down and I began to enjoy it," she said. "I am very grateful to everyone who helped make this happen."
© Photo: Getty Images"If I get any sleep on Christmas Eve it'll be good," joked William, speaking about his "bouncy" son Prince George
Sophia, 24, asked William about his plans for Christmas with his wife Kate, Prince George and Princess Charlotte, and why Centrepoint is a charity so close to his heart.
"George will be bouncing around like a rabbit," said William, speaking about his cheeky monkey George, who turned two this year.
"I think he will be extremely bouncy this year because he's suddenly worked out what Christmas is all about. If I get any sleep on Christmas Eve it'll be good.
"We'll go to church as a family on Christmas Day, as we always do. Then we'll watch George try to tackle his presents as he tries to unwrap them. It's a very different experience at Christmas, having a family of your own."
© Photo: Getty Images"We'll go to church as a family on Christmas Day," said the Prince. "Then we'll watch George try to tackle his presents."
William, 33, also explained that as a young boy, he would accompany his late mother Diana, Princess of Wales on visits to hostels for homeless people. He became a patron for the charity in 2005.
"I think it goes back to when my mother first took the role when I was a small boy. I was very struck by the people I met and what they were struggling with – sleeping rough, sofa surfing, not having basic comforts a lot of us take for granted," said William.
"That really struck me at a young age, bearing in mind the gulf for me growing up in a palace and seeing the other end of the spectrum. That was powerful to see at a young age. In today's Western world, with all the advancements and privileges we have, the fact some people don't have a bed or a roof over their head is quite ridiculous."
