Prince William 'proud' as he marks 20 years of patronage with Centrepoint
A big milestone!Prince William celebrated a significant milestone this week as he marked 20 years of patronage with Centrepoint.
The Prince of Wales became patron of the homelessness charity in 2005 as he followed in the footsteps of his mother, Princess Diana, who also previously held the role. It is one of the prince’s longest ongoing connections.
Centrepoint is the UK’s leading youth homelessness charity, supporting over 15,000 young people every year.
Centrepoint celebrates Prince William
On Tuesday (December 9), Centrepoint threw a party for the prince at their East London headquarters, in celebration of his two decades of patronage.
It was the first time Prince William had visited the organisation’s new premises, which they only moved to over the summer.
Juliet Sear, the baker who famously created the Bruce Bogtrotter chocolate cake for Netflix’s 2022 Matilda the Musical, made a special celebratory cake for the occasion. The charity also reportedly presented William with a montage of photos from his twenty years of service.
Ahead of cutting the cake, Prince William gave a small speech. He reportedly said, as per PEOPLE: “Many of you have been here many more years than that, and it’s an amazing moment to think, in 20 years, how much has changed and been achieved by all of you. The Centrepoint family is one I am very proud to be a part of, and I can’t thank you all for all the hard work, every day, you give to help other people. It’s fantastic, and that massive cake signifies the love and the generosity and the time you all give to helping other people, so make sure you take a piece.”
William also made an artistic addition to the charity’s ‘Wall of Hope’ mural, co-designed by a group of young people and artist Lanré Olagoke, who was previously homeless himself. The artwork aims to celebrate Centrepoint’s journey as a charity as well as its mission to end homelessness for good.
‘Proud to mark 20 years as Patron of Centrepoint!’
In a statement shared on social media, the Prince of Wales said of the milestone: “Proud to mark 20 years as Patron of Centrepoint!”
“Inspired by everything this charity is driving forward,” he then continued. “From building the first Independent Living homes, with hundreds more in progress, to pushing for changes that will open doors for thousands of young people. Today’s visit is a reminder of real progress, and the determination to make lasting change for young people.”
He also shared a selection of photos from the celebratory visit, showing him cutting into his delicious-looking three-tiered cake and chatting with staff.
Prince William has long been a powerful advocate for ending homelessness. He was of course introduced to the cause early on by his mother, who famously took Princes William and Harry to visit shelters when they were as young as 11. Likewise, the royal reportedly has plans to take his own son, Prince George, to visit a homeless shelter.
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