Prince William follows Diana’s footsteps by taking George to help homeless charity at Christmas

William and George made the surprise visit to The Passage in Victoria, London - an organisation that the Prince of Wales first visited with Princess Diana when he was a child.

The father-and-son dressed in aprons and joined in with preparations alongside head chef Claudette, while also packing care packages, baked cupcakes and decorated a Christmas tree which previously stood in Westminster Abbey.

Chief executive of The Passage, Mick Clarke, showed the pair around and said George was asking lots of questions "very much like his dad."

Read more: Prince William joins Lioness Jill Scott to issue urgent warning over Britain's vanishing parks

Read more: King praised for pulling 'perfect' pint of Guinness during brewery visit

Mr Clarke added: "Prince William has often talked about, during his childhood, how his mother talked about - I think as he described - the importance of viewing life beyond palace walls.

"I very much picked that up with George as well. It seemed to me that this was, or is, a family that are just trying to ensure that their children are brought up with greater awareness of what is around them and the need to ensure that, particularly, the most vulnerable in society are supported and looked after.

"I think George was genuinely moved to experience the work that we do, even just a little snapshot of it."

Prince George also signed the visitors' book on the same page previously signed by his father and his late grandmother in 1993.

William first visited the charity's work as an 11-year-old, which he has previously said was an experience which helped inspire his commitment to tackling homelessness.

In 2023, he also launched the programme Homewards, which he hopes will show that it is possible to end homelessness.

The Royal pair also spent time meeting some of The Passage's service users, some of who William had met before to listen about their experiences and the support they receive.

A Kensington Palace spokesperson said: "It was important to the Prince of Wales to share with Prince George the work of The Passage and to spend time volunteering alongside the team.

"They both greatly enjoyed meeting staff, volunteers and service users as well as learning more about the charity's work."

They added: "The dedication shown not only by The Passage but by organisations across the homelessness sector, at Christmas and throughout the year, is invaluable."

Earlier this month, William marked 20 years as patron for homeless charity Centrepoint by adding the finishing touches to a mural in the organisation's new offices.