Everything we know about William’s new ITV documentary as royal visits scotland

No stranger to the Royal spotlight and media attention, Prince William, is set to reveal a different aspect of himself in an upcoming documentary series. Unlike his brother Prince Harry, who previously shared insights into Royal life with his wife Meghan Markle in a Netflix documentary last year, William will be championing a cause close to his heart – ending homelessness.

The new documentary, titled ‘Prince William: We Can End Homelessness’, will be broadcast in two parts on ITV and ITVX this Autumn. It aims to raise awareness about the Homewards programme, a UK-wide charity initiative designed to assist those facing homelessness and support individuals with first-hand experience of street life.

The series will focus on the first year of the five-year initiative, documenting the launch of the charity and highlighting the work of advocates and project leaders battling homelessness in six key locations: Aberdeen, Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole, Lambeth, Newport, Northern Ireland, and Sheffield, reports the Mirror.

Here’s everything you need to know about the series…

What is the series called and when will it air?

Prince William’s latest documentary, titled “Prince William: We Can End Homelessness,” is set to be broadcast in two one-hour instalments on ITV1 and ITVX later this year. While the exact premiere date has not been announced, it is anticipated to air during the autumn months, which could mean a release date anywhere from September to November.

Who is making the series?

The production of the series is in the hands of Mindhouse, with BAFTA award-winning Director Leo Burley at the helm and Arron Fellows serving as Executive Producer. Burley’s previous works include “The Real Mo Farah” and “My Dad, the Peace Deal and Me”.

Director Leo Burley shared insights into the making of the documentary, stating, “Over the past year we have spent time following Prince William and The Royal Foundation through the first year of the Homewards programme. We’ve heard some incredibly moving stories from people across the country facing homelessness.”

He further described the scope of the project, saying, “From street homelessness in Newport, to families living in temporary accommodation in Sheffield, and youth homelessness in Aberdeen, the documentary paints a picture of homelessness across the UK today, working with many people who never expected to experience life without a place to call home.”

Burley also highlighted the positive impact of the Royal involvement, adding, “Everyone we’ve filmed with has welcomed the spotlight that Prince William and Homewards are placing on the UK’s homelessness crisis.”

Why is tackling homelessness so important to Prince William?

Prince William’s commitment to ending homelessness, a cause close to his heart, can be traced back to the influence of his mother, Princess Diana. From an early age, Diana made it a point to expose her sons to life beyond the Royal bubble, including discreet visits to various homeless shelters during their childhood.

These experiences instilled in the young prince a deep sense of empathy and understanding, leading him to become a patron of Centrepoint, a charity dedicated to helping those living in difficult circumstances. In 2009, Prince William got a taste of the harsh realities faced by the homeless when he spent a night sleeping rough as part of a campaign to raise awareness about homelessness, according to The Guardian.

The sleep-out was initiated by Seyi Obakin, the CEO of Centrepoint, who was joined by William and his then-private secretary, Jamie Lowther-Pinkerton. The trio even had a close call with a street-sweeper during their night on the streets.

Reflecting on their experience after spending a night on the streets, a spokesperson from St James’s Palace shared that the Royal trio hardly slept, catching only brief moments of rest. “Prince William took away from the experience the importance of tackling all the issues that cause people to be homeless and stay homeless, from drug dependency to mental health problems,” the spokesperson remarked.

When did the Homewards charity start?

Homewards was officially launched by Prince William alongside The Royal Foundation in June 2023. The initiative is dedicated to transforming homelessness into an infrequent, short-term, and non-recurring occurrence.

The programme collaborates with six strategic locations throughout the UK to develop pioneering solutions that can be expanded on a national scale. The overarching ambition is to enact substantial change and put an end to homelessness once and for all.

More information about the charity’s efforts can be found here.