Prince William Just Quietly Flew to Northern Ireland—Here's What We Know About His Surprise Trip

The prince of catching flights

Updated Nov 14, 2024

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5:40pm

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Prince William is back on the road, and this time his mission has taken him to Ireland on a solo trip for a cause that’s close to his heart. On Thursday, November 14, the Prince of Wales (surprisingly) arrived in Belfast to kick off a day filled with events supporting his campaign for the unhoused, while also highlighting the region’s creative industries.

Originally, William was set to make this visit back in May, but the trip got postponed due to the U.K. general election. Now, he’s finally made it, and he’s wasted no time diving into his work. His first stop was The Foyer, a temporary accommodation and support service for young people facing homelessness, which is run by the Simon Community, People reports.

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This visit is part of William’s Homewards campaign, a movement he launched with Princess Kate through their Royal Foundation to tackle homelessness across the U.K., including in Northern Ireland. The initiative, which was recently spotlighted in his docu-series Prince William: We Can End Homelessness, focuses on empowering local communities with practical solutions to support unhoused people, especially young people aging out of the care system.

This trip comes on the heels of William’s recent visit to South Africa for the Earthshot Prize Awards, where he championed climate initiatives on a global stage. Meanwhile, Kate Middleton stayed back in the U.K. with their kids—Prince George, 11, Princess Charlotte, 9, and Prince Louis, 6—as she continues her gradual return to royal duties after her health challenges this year.

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And even though he’s been flying solo on these trips, William has found small ways to keep his family close. Case in point: he’s been spotted wearing a friendship bracelet made by Princess Charlotte herself—an adorable reminder that no matter where his royal duties take him, his family is never far from his heart.

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Danielle Long

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