Prince William has been spotted after it emerged that his wife, the Princess of Wales, has returned to work following the end of her chemotherapy treatment.
The Prince of Wales is in Scotland today - where he is known as the Duke of Rothesay - and has travelled to Aberdeen to thank the city's homelessness sector for their efforts supporting rough sleepers and to hear about their work. As he arrived at the offices of Shelter Scotland, he was seen smiling and still sporting his newly-grown beard.
His visit comes just days after it emerged Kate has held her first meeting at Windsor Castle since finishing chemotherapy. The 42-year-old revealed last week that her treatment had ended and she would slowly return to royal duties following her cancer diagnosis. Kensington Palace confirmed the meeting was Kate's first noted mention of her working in the Court Circular, the official record of royal engagements, since she was first hospitalised in January for abdominal surgery.
William's visit to Aberdeen is part of his Homewards project, which aims to develop a blueprint for eradicating homelessness in all its forms. It is established in the city and today he is also meeting some of its team. William is beginning his day in the Scottish city at the offices of Shelter Scotland to hear more about the services they offer supporting people who are homeless or on the brink of losing the roof over their head, and meeting those they have helped. The charity is a member of the Aberdeen coalition of his Homewards project, aiming to eradicate homelessness.
Shelter Scotland is a member of the prince's Homewards Aberdeen coalition and will play a pivotal role in delivering early intervention support for young people by providing training around financial literacy, tenancy skills and other educational resources for schools, colleges and universities.
Homewards advocates broadcaster Gail Porter and David Duke, who founded Street Soccer Scotland to help the disadvantaged, will join William for his final event – a thank you reception for Aberdeen's homeless sector.
Blue Light Card – a leading discount scheme for the emergency services, NHS, social care sector and armed forces – has now expanded its remit to include workers in the homelessness sector. It is has also become an official supporter or 'activator' of the Homewards programme, alongside Pret A Manger and Homebase.
Founded in 2008 by former police officer Steve Denny and business partner Tom Dalby, the Blue Light Card allows members to join for £4.99, giving them access for two years to discounts from more than 13,000 retailers from Halfords to Cineworld.
Homewards was launched last year in six locations – Newport, Lambeth, Belfast, Aberdeen, Sheffield and three neighbouring Dorset towns Poole, Bournemouth and Christchurch – with the aim of delivering bespoke solutions to the homelessness issues in each area.
