Carrying Princess Diana's Torch: Prince William's 'Brutal Year' Brings Him Closer to Late Mom's Legacy as Future King Tackles Homelessness Crisis

Diana, Princess of Wales, once took Princes William and Harry to a homeless shelter when they were kids, and William recently told an outlet it left a "lasting impression."

The Prince of Wales said of his experience, "I met so many extraordinary people and listened to so many heartbreaking personal stories. Too many people have found themselves without a stable and permanent place to call home.″

Now, with a "brutal year" nearly behind him due to King Charles III and Catherine, Princess of Wales' health issues, the future king is using his Duchy of Cornwall initiaitve Homewards to continue "his mother's legacy." It is an ambitious project that the prince hopes to have completed within five years.

During her time as a royal princess and after, Diana took on many charitable patronages that other members of the royal family steered clear of, such as homelessness. The unfortunate predicament afflicting thousands of Britons was felt by many courtiers to be potentially political, with a small p. But the princess bucked tradition and allowed her compassion to guide her way, and she once took her two children to visit people sleeping in a shelter.

Years after her tragic death, William would continue to come back to this issue, and he once slept overnight with displaced youth on the streets of South London in 2009. In 2022, the heir to the British throne was seen on the streets selling copies of Big Issue magazine, whose proceeds go toward helping those in need of housing.

As The Royal Observer previously reported, the future king plans to involve his wife, and his three kids, Prince George, Princess Charlotte and Prince Louis, in the vast undertaking as well. He told a publication, "I think when I can balance it with their schooling, they will definitely be exposed to it. On the school run, we talk about what we see."

It was once believed that William would "use royal properties" to house homeless citizens once he became king, but his plan to use the Duchy of Cornwall came much sooner. The initiative brings to mind his father, King Charles III's, Prince's Trust, started in 1976. That organization has helped numerous disadvantaged young people find fulfilling careers over the decades.

With his father's work and his mother's enduring passion for helping others as inspiration, the Prince of Wales is set to launch one of the most profound charitable endeavors in quite some time.

However, His Royal Highness' heartfelt initiative has not been lost on many royal analysts, even with his "epic" feud with Harry "dominating most of his media space."

"It has been the hardest year of Prince William's life, having both his wife and father very ill and having to keep strong for his family yet continuing to serve the nation," photographer Helena Chard told Fox News.