The Duke of Cambridge speech at Centrepoint's Gala 2016

Published

Whether fleeing war overseas, battling mental illness, enduring the dangers of sleeping on the streets, the young people of Centrepoint have come through experiences that could have broken the resolve of any one of us.

Good evening, ladies and gentleman,

Last time I was on this stage I performed a duet with Bon Jovi and Taylor Swift – Craig [David] and Ellie [Goulding] will be spared that horror tonight.  And I'm delighted that Jonathan Ross has decided to rap later! 

It’s a pleasure to be here tonight, among so many old and new friends at Centrepoint. This evening is a celebration of everything that young people are capable of when they are given the support that they need.

All of those nominated for this year’s Centrepoint Awards, now an annual event, deserve to be commended. They are Centrepoint’s legacy, the proof of the positive impact this extraordinary organisation has made for nearly 50 years now and I know will go on making. 

My thanks go out to tonight’s organising committee and its remarkable Chair, Debra Reuben, for staging an event worthy of the many individual achievements made and raising awareness of this hugely important cause – the ending of youth homelessness. 

I’m grateful too for the tireless work of Seyi and his team across the country: the support workers, the counsellors, the learning specialists. They are integral to all of the success stories you are about to hear.

Whether fleeing war overseas, battling mental illness, enduring the dangers of sleeping on the streets, the young people of Centrepoint have come through experiences that could have broken the resolve of any one of us. 

About this time a few years ago, for one night, I gave up the warmth and comfort of my bed, and tried sleeping on the streets of London.  Of course, this was just one night: I was cold but safe, and I knew I had a home waiting for me.  

This Christmas as many as 25,000 young people will be at risk of homelessness. And remember this, behind that appalling statistic is a human being not much older than many of our children and grandchildren, who is alone, frightened and confronted with impossible choices.      

Each year in the UK 150,000 young people turn to their local council for help. The scale of youth homelessness in this country is now shameful – it must not be ignored. As a society we have a clear duty to redouble our efforts, to do more to help. 

I am really pleased, therefore, that Centrepoint will be launching the Centrepoint Helpline early next year, part of its Turnaround programme to end youth homelessness. The Helpline is an ambitious but much needed service to give information to young people who find themselves on the cusp of homelessness.  

If we are serious about ending youth homelessness, the most effective solution is to prevent people becoming homeless in the first place.  That means, giving young people practical guidance and support, putting them in touch with services, pointing them to organisations who can get them through the trouble they find themselves in.  All this sounds obvious, but there is nothing out there right now that exists for young people in this predicament – so the Helpline will make a big difference. 

The Helpline will be launched later this month with the support of various partners, and in particular I pay thanks on behalf of Centrepoint to Evgeny Lebedev for backing Centrepoint's vision. And more of this to come later this month. 

Many of you here tonight are supporting Centrepoint individually or through your companies. To all of you, thank you – very much.

And I leave you all with one thought.  No-one who Centrepoint helps has chosen the label 'homeless'.  First and foremost, these young people are ordinary people – like our sons and daughters and friends; nothing different about them. The same hopes, the same anxieties, sense of adventure, and wanting to find their way in life – but life has dealt them a cruel hand: family breakdown, addiction, the wrong crowd, bullying, poor mental health.  

So, my real thanks tonight goes to Centrepoint for consistently seeing beyond the label 'homeless' and seeing each young man and woman for who he or she is.   That in itself is life-changing, and we need more of that in our society. 

Thank you, Centrepoint – and I hope everyone has a good evening.

Related content

Media pack

Financial reports 2020-21

The Royal Household today published its annual financial statement, the Sovereign Grant Report, for the financial year 2020-21.

Feature

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attend the COP26 Climate Change Conference

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge took part in a number of events at the conference
Feature

The inaugural Earthshot Prize Ceremony Awards London

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge attended the first ever Earthshot Prize Awards Ceremony
Feature

The Duchess of Cambridge launches “Taking Action on Addiction” campaign

The Duchess of Cambridge attended and spoke at an event hosted by the Forward Trustus
Feature

The Duchess of Cambridge visited the Imperial War Museum to open two new galleries

The Duchess of Cambridge visited the Imperial War Museum
Feature

The Duchess of Cambridge Hosts Community Carol Service

The Duchess of Cambridge hosted a Christmas carol service at Westminster Abbey
Feature

The Duke of Cambridge visited Microsoft Headquarters to learn how new technology is disrupting the illegal wildlife trade

The Duke of Cambridge, visited Microsoft Headquarters to view AI scanning technology
Feature

The Duke of Cambridge attended The Royal Foundation’s Emergency Services Mental Health Symposium

The Duke of Cambridge spoke to emergency services from across all four nations.
Press release 31 December 2021

New appointments to the Order of the Garter announced

Read more

A message of condolence from Her Majesty The Queen on the passing of Archbishop Desmond Tutu

I remember with fondness my meetings with him and his great warmth and humour.

26 December 2021

The Christmas Broadcast 2021

And for me and my family, even with one familiar laugh missing this year, there will be joy in Christmas, as we have the chance to reminisce, and see anew the wonder of the...

25 December 2021

The Countess of Wessex's speech at the European Parliament Intergroup on Children’s Rights event in Brussels

Today I ask you to rededicate your efforts to ensure that the internet is a place of safety for all.

07 December 2021

Her Majesty The Queen's Address at the Opening Ceremony of the Sixth Session of the Scottish Parliament

Presiding Officer, First Minister, Members of the Scottish Parliament, it is a pleasure to be invited to address you on this special occasion. I would like to begin by...

02 October 2021

A message from The Queen to the President and people of Barbados

The people of Barbados have held a special place in my heart.

30 November 2021
Press release 22 November 2021

THE QUEEN’S MEDAL FOR MUSIC 2021

Read more
News

Royal Tour to Jordan and Egypt

19 November 2021

The Queen's message to the Opening Session of the 11th General Synod

The Gospel has brought hope, as it has done throughout the ages; and the Church has adapted and continued its ministry, often in new ways - such as digital forms of worship.

16 November 2021
News

Remembrance 2021

11 November 2021
Feature

Champion Trees at Buckingham Palace

The Buckingham Palace is Garden is home is 24 National Champion Trees

The Queen’s speech at the COP26 Evening Reception

A speech by Her Majesty The Queen delivered via video message to the COP26 Evening Reception.

01 November 2021
Feature

The Royal Family and COP26

Find out more about The Royal Family's involvement in COP26

The Queen's speech at the opening of the sixth session of the Senedd in Cardiff

There are many challenges ahead as you work together to promote the well-being of the people of Wales, and support the recovery effort.

14 October 2021

The Queen's message to the Institution of Engineering and Technology to mark their 150th anniversary

This anniversary provides an opportunity to thank and recognise the dedication and hard work of all those working in engineering and technology who, every day, make a...

06 October 2021

The Queen's address at the Opening Ceremony of the sixth session of the Scottish Parliament

I have spoken before of my deep and abiding affection for this wonderful country, and of the many happy memories Prince Philip and I always held of our time here.

02 October 2021

The Queen's message to mark Canada's first National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

I join with all Canadians on this first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation

30 September 2021

The Queen's message to Emma Raducanu following her US Open win

It is a remarkable achievement at such a young age, and is testament to your hard work and dedication.

11 September 2021

The Queen's message to mark the 20th anniversary of the 11th September attacks

We pay tribute to the resilience and determination of the communities who joined together to rebuild.

11 September 2021

The Queen's message to British and Commonwealth athletes following the 2020 Paralympic Games

Your performances have lifted the nation and your triumphs been celebrated by us all.

05 September 2021

A message of condolence from Her Majesty The Queen to the Prime Minister of Haiti

I am deeply saddened by the tragic loss of life and destruction caused by the earthquake in Haiti. My thoughts and prayers are with those who have lost their lives, loved ones...

16 August 2021

The Princess Royal congratulates Team GB athletes and staff on their Olympic success

Everyone involved in Team GB has played a significant role in a magnificent performance

10 August 2021

The Queen's message to TeamGB and Commonwealth athletes following the 2020 Olympic Games

The skill, determination and hard work shown by the athletes and their support teams throughout the unique and challenging circumstances of the last year has been an...

09 August 2021
Feature

The Duke of Kent reflects on his Presidency of the All England Lawn Tennis Club in an article for The Telegraph

His Royal Highness reflects on what makes the championships so special
Press release 06 July 2021

Announcement of a new Governor General of Canada

Read more