Prince William defended by Jennie Bond as veteran Royal expert says 'I utterly despair'

Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, has faced criticism since launching his homelessness project last year - but a royal expert has told OK! that the Prince is 'engrained' with a determination to help those in need

Veteran royal correspondent Jennie Bond has come out in defence of Prince William - declaring "I utterly despair."

The Prince of Wales, a staunch supporter of mental health and environmental initiatives, is also deeply committed to aiding the homeless. Drawing inspiration from his late mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, Prince William last year launched Homewards—a five-year programme that champions the idea that homelessness can be eradicated by ensuring it's 'rare, brief, and unrepeated'.

In an upcoming documentary, Prince William addresses scepticism about his role in leading such a significant project, stating: "I think everyone having a right to a safe and stable home, it benefits us all. I come with no other agenda than desperately trying to help people who are in need."

Despite criticism, many are baffled at the negative response, with veteran former BBC Royal correspondent Jennie telling OK!.: "I utterly despair of the people who attack someone for trying to do good. What do they expect William to do? Sit in a Palace twiddling his thumbs and ringing a bell for servants? He knows perfectly well that he was born into a position of enormous privilege and wealth and several homes."

"But, as he says... what IS the point of his existence if he doesn't use that privilege and that platform to try to do what he can to help others? He is coming up with innovative ideas... which may go some of the way to helping the homeless."

These are: Lambeth in South London, Bournemouth, Newport, Belfast, Aberdeen and Sheffield. The goal for William - who is the Patron of homelessness charities Centrepoint and The Passage - is to make homelessness "rare, brief and unrepeated" as Jennie adds: "If the project doesn't provide a complete solution (and let's face it, he's not going to wipe out homelessness in a few years) he can at least say he has tried his best and used his considerable convening power as fully as possible."

Reflecting on the influences behind Prince William's pioneering work and the role Diana, Princess of Wales played in inspiring him, Jennie adds: "Trying to help homeless people is pretty much in William's DNA as his mother taught him so much about the problem and took him to see close up what it is like to sleep rough."

"It is now engrained in William that people who have had the misfortune to have no home deserve attention and help - and he is determined to give it. Good for him! And shame on anyone who criticises him for trying."

Since the launch, a documentary team has followed people involved in the project.

The Duke's initiative aimed to show that homelessness "can be ended", but his words were met with criticism, notably from anti-monarchy group Republic. They argued that his involvement with the issue was contradictory, given his own privileged position and the numerous properties at his and the Royal Family's disposal.