Prince William.
Prince Williamwent incognito as he took to the streets of London this week to sell issues of a U.K. magazine that supports the homeless.
Retired Chief Supt. Matthew Gardner said his brother-in-law had spotted a familiar face, dressed casually in jeans with aBig Issuebest and hat on. He initially thought it was a celebrity until he went and took a closer look.
“What an honour to have a private moment with our future king who was humble and working quietly in the background, helping the most needy. These ‘silent gestures’ often go unrecognised,” Gardner said in the LinkedIn post.
Prince William prepares food during his visit to homelessness charity The Passage in London on February 13, 2019.IAN VOGLER/AFP/Getty
When William’s potential new customer said he had no change in his pocket to buy the $5 magazine, the prince whipped out an electronic mobile credit card machine so that the transaction could be made.
“The finale to this unique occasion was whenPrince Williamasked my brother-in-law If he wanted to buy theBig Issue, to which he replied ‘I have no change,'” Gardner said.
“At this point William produced a mobile card machine… you cannot teach that!
“Priceless, or should I say ‘princely.'”
William’s office at Kensington Palace declined to comment.
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Like his late mother Princess Diana, William has been a longtime supporter of needs of the homeless community. When he was a teenager, he spent a night on the streets in London to get a sense of what it was like for those who are homeless and also to highlight their plight.
He has followed in the footsteps of his late mother in championing those who help people without homes and has beenpatron of Centrepoint, acharity she also supported, since 2005.He also backsThe Passagecenter and made frequent visits as a child alongside Diana and his brotherPrince Harry.
Prince William, Prince George and Princess Charlotte.Samir Hussein/WireImage
William has also started to educate his young children —Prince George, 8,Princess Charlotte, 7, andPrince Louis, 4 — on the issue. During an appearance on the BBC specialA Berry Royal Christmasin 2019, he told baking expert Mary Berry that he has been teaching his children about the causes they champion in their royal work.
“On the school run already . . . whenever we see someone who is sleeping rough on the street I talk about it and I point it out and I explain,” William said.
“And they are all very interested,” he added. “They are like: ‘Why can’t they go home?'”
William volunteered for theBig Issuejust days after the royal family came together to celebrateQueen Elizabeth’sPlatinum Jubilee, marking her 70 years on the throne.
source: people.com
