The Princess of Wales joined Prince William for the first time on a visit aimed at combatting homelessness during a surprise trip to Northern Ireland. The couple travelled to a rainy Belfast to visit two projects connected with the future king’s Homewards initiative, which aims to make homelessness “rare, brief and unrepeated”.
Royal Visit to Belfast Projects
The royals visited The Commons, a project to transform a church on the Ormeau Road into a community centre, where William told his hosts about his wife: “I am bringing her to see a one-stop-shop on homelessness today.” A senior royal aide said the princess has been keen for some time to see the work of Homewards as it tied in with her own early years work to better the lives of under fives.
The couple took to Instagram to share a clip of their trip, which has racked up over 28,000 likes. One person commented: “You are the kindest couple.” Another wrote: “You two always support the most important causes.” A third said: “Wonderful to learn you were in Belfast today! Welcome!”
Social Media Post Highlights NEON Initiative
In the social media post showing a video of the royals on the visit, the caption read: “A conversation at the checkouts with a much bigger story behind it. At IKEA Belfast, hearing how @homewardsuk’s NEON (New Employment Opportunities Network) is helping young people at risk of homelessness access sustainable employment and ongoing support.”
“First launched in Northern Ireland, the initiative brings together employers, charities, public services and community partners to create pathways into work and help young people stay and thrive in employment. The model is now helping to inform Homewards’ activity across the UK, building on learning from businesses including IKEA Belfast and their partners.”
William Engages with Community
William peppered those involved with questions, asking: “Has it made a real difference do you think being so closely connected to community?” He added: “We can all be little islands and it’s sometimes we need something like this to bring us together to work on an issue we all care so much about. I think employers want to help out but sometimes they don’t know how to help.”
Fans lined the area to catch a glimpse of the future king and queen during the visit.
