Prince William made a moving confession during an engagement in Wales on Wednesday.
The Prince of Wales visited Newport, Wales, to highlight the city’s efforts to combat homelessness, with a special focus on vulnerable women.
The city has identified the situation of homeless women as a critical issue, especially given the rising numbers among those facing multiple challenges, such as trauma, poverty, and domestic abuse.
Prince William’s confession in Wales
During his visit, the prince met with several women. One of the most powerful moments was when he met Rebecca, a social worker who shared her experience of living on the streets at age 16 and facing profound personal losses.
Rebecca, who went through foster care in her youth, talked about the death of her partner and father, as well as a subsequent suicide attempt.
At one point in their conversation, Rebecca told William about her difficult past and her desire to use her experiences to help other “lost teens.”
“You seem like a force of nature, Rebecca,” William told her, adding that she should be ‘very proud’ of herself.
“We need more Rebeccas in the world,” he commented. “You have been through more than most people go through in their entire lifetime. I’m not sure I would have come out the other side like you.”
Prince William’s comments come in a complicated year, during which both his father, King Charles, and his wife, Kate Middleton, were diagnosed with cancer.
In a recent interview, William described 2024 as “brutal” and the “hardest year” of his life.
“It’s been dreadful,” he said, adding, “But I’m so proud of my wife, I’m proud of my father, for handling the things that they have done. But from a personal family point of view, it’s been, yeah, it’s been brutal.”