Prince William sleeps rough for Centrepoint anniversary
Prince William swapped Buckingham Palace for the streets of London for a night by bedding down to experience life as a rough sleeper.
The royal slept in cardboard boxes around Blackfriars Bridge in temperatures down to minus 4oC this month to understand better the problems faced by young homeless people.
He was joined by charity Centrepoint’s chief executive Seyi Obakin and his private secretary Jamie Lowther- Pinkerton on the night of December 15.
Prince William, patron of the charity for homeless young people, said: ‘I cannot, after one night, even begin to imagine what it must be like to sleep rough on London’s streets night after night.
‘Poverty, mental illness, drug and alcohol dependancy and family breakdown cause people to become and then stay homeless. I hope that by deepening my understanding of the issue, I can help do my bit to help the most vulnerable on our streets.’
The night was on the eve of Centrepoint’s 40th anniversary and Mr Obakin had invited the prince to sleep rough after William challenged the charity back in March to end youth homelessness by its 50th year.
Mr Obakin said the night was ‘a scary experience’ despite the party taking as much precaution as possible, finding a secluded spot in an alleyway.
‘There was no shielding from the bitter cold, or the hard concrete floor, or the fear of being accosted by drug dealers, pimps or those out to give homeless people a good kicking,’ he said.
‘One of the hairiest moments occurred when we were almost run over by a road sweeper which simply didn’t see our small group huddled together, which just goes to show how vulnerable rough sleepers are. I have never been happier to welcome the break of dawn.’
At dawn, Mr Obakin showed Prince William the men and women who were rough sleeping on the streets of the West End.
Maxine Edney, Centrepoint’s chief operations officer, said: ‘Around half of the young people that come to Centrepoint have spent time sleeping on the streets.
‘I hope that by Prince William sleeping out, more people will take the time to consider why young people are vulnerable on the streets, be it family breakdown, poverty or abuse, and help join Centrepoint’s ambition to bring an end to youth homelessness.’
Have your say
You must sign in to make a comment
Readers' comments (10)
cliff.nolan | 23/12/2009 11:03 am
It is very pleasing to see Prince William taking an interest in this issue, i hope all the homeless people have a safe christmas and lets hope they find permanent shelter very soon!
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Martin Whyms | 23/12/2009 1:26 pm
I think it is a wonderful that Prince WIlliam has done this so close to xmas and hope that more people have bean aware of the misery that homelessness brings to the socially excluded of this country. Brilliant bit of publicity.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
kass | 23/12/2009 1:34 pm
Any royalty/celebrity out there brave enough to come and sleep in my flat to check any improvement from sleeping in the street?
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Melvin Bone | 23/12/2009 1:48 pm
They should send a homeless person to spend a night in Buckingham Palace to experience a night as a member of the Royal Family...
Fair swap.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Soltice | 23/12/2009 2:55 pm
Kass - what have YOU done to raise awareness of this crucial issue??
At least he had the guts to give it a go and raise the plight of others, rather than whinging in self-apathy.
And I'm sure those having to sleep on the streets would much prefer to be in your flat as it has a roof, walls, and windows to shelter from the wind/rain, and I bet you're sat there with the heating on, waiting for your tea/supper tonight before getting into your bed (with a proper duvet and pillows no doubt. Never mind, if you get cold you can warm yourself up in your shower.
Your selfish comments do not do justice to such a forum - you should be ashamed.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Avis Johnson | 23/12/2009 3:04 pm
Prince William's experience of sleep rough will I am sure really bring home to him the horrors and desparation of being homeless and on the streets. At the recent Development Conference at the Business Design Centre, Islington, journalist Rosie Boycott also gave a moving account of her experience of sleeping rough for a period of time in London's streets. I must say that although working in the housing sector for over 20 years I found that Rosie's talk really hit home for me. I have always felt very strongly about eradicating homelessness and hearing about experiences such as Rosie's I think will have the effect, in some cases, of jolting people like me into being more actively involved.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
kass | 23/12/2009 4:29 pm
"Soltice | Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:55 GMT....
...Your selfish comments do not do justice to such a forum - you should be ashamed."
So I should not bring about to the attention that sometimes these homeless people end up in accomodations and landlords so bad that it would not be suprising to see them going back to live in the streets?
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
Joe Halewood | 23/12/2009 4:46 pm
The interesting point for me is where the hell were the contracators - the ones that hose down the rough sleepers night after night? Is this a change of policy by the councils that employ such 'hosers' or were they aware Prince William was out and decided not to hose down what they clearly think are the 'great unwashed?'
Nothing personal towards Price William, but its a great shame he wasnt hosed down. If he had, then this would have been a story the whole world would have picked up across all media and made sure that offensive policy was stopped.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
kass | 29/12/2009 1:46 pm
Soltice | Wed, 23 Dec 2009 14:55 GMT
What an idiot you are - which worries me only if you are a housing professional.
Apart from having been homeless myself, I have certainly done more for people sleeping rough than a royalty sleeping rough one night.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment
kass | 29/12/2009 1:50 pm
"Melvin Bone | Wed, 23 Dec 2009 13:48 GMT
They should send a homeless person to spend a night in Buckingham Palace to experience a night as a member of the Royal Family...
Fair swap."
It's not a fair swap, because after a night sleeping rough while Prince William will want to go back to his home faster than ever, the homelesss person having spent the night in Buckingham Palace will be in no mind of leaving in any rush.
Unsuitable or offensive? Report this comment