The Prince of Wales brings Prince George to homeless charity he was taken to in his youth with Princess Diana.

The future monarch has taken his 12-year-old son his eldest child to volunteer at a charity for the homeless, to educate him about lack of housing and demonstrate the endeavors of charities combating the problem.

The royal father took his son to a shelter with a strong family link - a homeless support center - where William had been introduced in his youth by his mother Diana.

This handing on of the torch happened in the past few days, with the young prince pitching in to cook lunch for people receiving help from the charity, which supports those experiencing homelessness in the heart of London.

Prince George signed a visitors' book using the very sheet signed by William and his grandmother Diana in the winter of 1993.

A Legacy of Service

The head of the organization said George had come when they were preparing Christmas lunch for 150 people.

"So it was really about, 'Is he willing to get involved and help out?' And he very much was," said the charity chief.

"Just like his dad, actually - just keen to participate and contribute," the chief continued.

"A wonderful young man is how I would sum him up, and he just really seemed very interested in the work that we do and notably in speaking to people who have received our support," commented the leader.

Culinary Teamwork

There was a slight contest between father and son in cooking the lunch.

"William was on the vegetables, working on them so they could go into the cooker, and Prince George was helping with the traditional British side dish," he recounted.

He portrayed the signing of the book with his grandmother's autograph as a "touching, poignant instant - I think especially when William pointing out to the boy, 'This is my mom's signature. This was the very first visit that she brought me along here.'

"It really seemed full circle, truly - over three decades later, with William now bringing his son," he said.

The executive said it seemed as though George's parents were trying to show their young ones the world beyond palace walls and how it was crucial that "the most vulnerable in society are aided and cared for".

And in terms of contrasts, the outing to the homelessness charity came on the same day as the traditional Buckingham Palace festive meal.

A Lasting Inspiration

The Prince of Wales has been a advocate of the shelter since he was taken as an 11 year old by his mother, who had made frequent trips, both open and discreet.

He is spearheading his own campaign to address housing insecurity, Homewards, and he has characterized his early experience of visiting the Passage as an motivation.

He remembered being apprehensive about his first visit with Diana, but discovering an unexpected warmth and contentment.

"She went about her customary approach of creating a comfortable atmosphere, and having a laugh and chatting with everyone," he said in a recent interview.

"I remember at the time, sort of assuming, well, if individuals lack housing, they're all going to be fairly miserable.

"Yet, it was amazing how happy an environment it was," recalled Prince William.

The Passage's Work

The charity, which derives its philosophy from the social reformer historical figures, has been operating in the area since over four decades ago, and recently helped more than 3,000 people who were facing homelessness.

The charity says lack of funds is one of the primary drivers and "many people are just one bill away from experiencing homelessness".

It also points to potential triggers such as dependency issues, emotional difficulties, abuse at home and traumatic events in families.

The Passage has also drawn connections between lack of housing and people being taken advantage of in forced labor.