Prince William Makes Surprise Trip to Northern Ireland to Highlight His Mission for the Unhoused

Mar. 15, 2025

Prince Williamis visiting Northern Ireland.

The royal father of three arrived early on Thursday, Nov. 14 for a day of events to promote his campaign for the unhoused and to highlight the creative industries in the region.

William’s Homewards movement, which he recentlyhighlighted in an in-depth docu-seriesPrince William: We Can End Homelessness, focuses on several key areas around the U.K., including Northern Ireland.

While there, William was shown how Simon Community delivers initiatives aimed at preventing and ending homelessness among young people leaving foster parents and other residential support.

The Prince was also introduced to young people to talk about their backgrounds and the support they have received.

Prince William, Prince Of Wales during a visit to Simon Community on Nov. 14, 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.Jason Cairnduff - Pool/Getty

Prince William, Prince Of Wales during a visit to Simon Community

Jason Cairnduff - Pool/Getty

Prince William, Prince Of Wales during a visit to Simon Community

Homewards Northern Ireland is also working to provide an innovative housing project focused on supporting young people who find themselves homeless after being in care home environments.

Like other locations where Homewards is being piloted around the U.K., new findings and successful projects are being shared across the other centers to increase knowledge of what works to help tackle issues facing the unhoused.

Prince William, Prince Of Wales with Simon Community CEO Jim Dennison after a visit to the Simon Community on Nov. 14, 2024 in Belfast, Northern Ireland.Jason Cairnduff - Pool/Getty

Prince William, Prince Of Wales with Simon Community CEO Jim Dennison after a visit to the Simon Community on November 14, 2024 in Belfast

William’s visit came as he and wife Kateled tributes to King Charleson his 76th birthday.

“My mother took me to The Passage; she took Harry and I both there. I must have been 11 at the time, maybe 10. I had never been to anything like that before, and I was a bit anxious about what to expect,” William says in the clip, which is believed to be his first public mention of Harry in several years.

Prince William meets staff and students at Ulster University’s Belfast City Campus Centre in Belfast, Northern Ireland on Nov. 14, 2024.Liam McBurney - Pool/Getty

Prince William, Prince Of Wales meets staff and students gathered during a visit to Ulster University’s Belfast City Campus Centre

Liam McBurney - Pool/Getty

Ulster University has been pivotal in helping to grow the creative industries in Northern Ireland, which is estimated to contribute over $1.7 billion to the local economy and employ over 24,000 people.

Prince William tries out a motorbike at the Virtual Production Studio while visiting Ulster University’s Belfast City Campus Centre on Nov. 14, 2024.Liam McBurney - Pool/Getty

Prince William, Prince Of Wales tries out a motorbike in the state-of-the-art Virtual Production Studio, where students are developing their skillsets in virtual production, during a visit to Ulster University’s Belfast City Campus Centre

The Prince of Wales learned more about the exciting projects in the works and the opportunities it will create to elevate virtual production and further develop the workforce. William also metJames Martin, a Belfast-born actor, to chat about the success of the sector in Northern Ireland and how Studio Ulster will help take it to the next level.

Prince William meets actor James Martin at Ulster University’s Belfast City Campus Centre on Nov. 14, 2024.Liam McBurney - Pool/Getty

Prince William, Prince Of Wales tries out a motorbike in the state-of-the-art Virtual Production Studio, where students are developing their skillsets in virtual production, during a visit to Ulster University’s Belfast City Campus Centre

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William returned from Cape Town, South Africa on Nov. 8, aftera week promoting another of his key projects, the environmental Earthshot Prize.

source: people.com