The Prince of Wales has called for "systemic change" and a focus on "prevention rather than management" to end youth homelessness. In a heartfelt speech at the Centrepoint Awards, Prince William also highlighted the need to ensure "all young people have truly affordable options to live and thrive independently".
Wearing a dark blue velvet tuxedo and black tie, William was greeted at the entrance to the Museum by Sir Kenneth Olisa, Lord Lieutenant of Greater London and Seyi Obakin, Centrepoint CEO. He also chatted to Nicholas Cullinan, director of the British Museum and two of the young people performing during the ceremony.
Inside, he met supporters of the charity, commenting on the "spectacular" backdrop of the Nereid Monument before heading into the Parthenon Galleries where he was introduced to performers and awards finalists.
He chatted to host Claudia Winkleman and singer Beverley Knight, saying to her: "Tell me you're singing tonight, Beverley? The acoustics here need a Beverley Knight moment!"
He wished finalists good luck and asked: "Are you all feeling good about tonight? There are a lot of people here tonight because they believe you can do it. The stories are incredibly inspiring."
The heir to the throne, who has been the charity's patron for nearly 20 years, told guests: "While homelessness is of course a complex societal issue, I passionately believe that it can, and should, be ended.
"Achieving this will require a movement that creates systemic change. A change that focuses on prevention rather than management. And one that ensures all young people have truly affordable options to live and thrive independently."
The Prince praised the youth homelessness charity Centrepoint for "making significant headway" through its work, adding, "We must remain optimistic by the progress that we see and the stories of success we hear. But to achieve the level of systemic change needed to end youth homelessness in the UK, there is still so much more to do.
"If you have been inspired by the young people you will meet this evening, then please think about what it is that you can do to bring change in your communities to ultimately end youth homelessness for good. We will only be successful in bringing about that change, if we work together."
The Prince then helped to present awards to six young people who have transformed their lives and overcome huge challenges to show leadership, academic accomplishment and dedication to their communities.
The Prince's cousin, Lady Kitty Spencer, 33, a Centrepoint ambassador, was among famous faces presenting awards, along with West Ham footballer Jarrod Bowen, Ted Lasso star Kola Bokkini and his radio and TV presenter sister Yinka, Supacell star Tosin Cole and BBC Radio 1 presenter Dean McCullough.
Centrepoint CEO Seyi Obakin said the awards, which are backed by Nationwide Building Society, “serve as a powerful reminder of the incredible transformations young people can achieve when given the right support.”
He added: "Our nominees and winners have overcome significant barriers and have made remarkable strides in their lives, whether through further education or apprenticeships. It is an honour to celebrate their achievements and to acknowledge the vital role our corporate partners play in tackling youth homelessness."
Speaking afterwards, Shannon, 26, who won the Inspirational Award, said meeting the Prince had been "kind of surreal," adding, "He's actually genuine, he actually wanted to speak to us."
She said of his Homewards initiative to prove that homelessness can be ended: "I think what he's doing is absolutely incredible. I don't think there would be many people in his position that have the power to do what he's doing - I think he's really pushing for it."
Shannon, from Streatham, south London, said the programme was giving people hope, adding: "Honestly, I think it does for me, and I think it does for quite a lot of people. So I think it'll be really great. Hopefully we'll get to where we want to be and where he wants to be as well."
She said of her conversation with William: "He actually just said to us that it's such an honour that he can meet us and that everyone's coming to support us today."
Shannon, who spent time in care as a child, has overcome mental health struggles to turn her life around. She said of her award: "I do feel really proud. I had no idea I was going to win, so I found that out two minutes before the Prince of Wales came in. And so I was just stood there with my heart racing.. I've dreamed about stuff like this, you know, that people will come to support you and then listen to your story and what you've gone through, but I never thought I'd actually be here in real life."
More than 400 guests sat at tables in the Museum's Great Court for the ceremony, which was opened by singer Joe Devlin, who has lived experience of homelessness and sang Take Me Home, and another of tonight's winners, Toni Ann, who performed a spoken word piece called Hopeful not Hopeless.