William and Catherine visit Belfast to spotlight Homewards employment scheme for young homeless people

From the Newshound archive · first published 10 October 2026.

The Prince and Princess of Wales made a surprise visit to Belfast on Saturday, with Catherine joining the Prince for the first time at a project connected to his Homewards homelessness initiative. The couple toured The Commons, a repurposed church on the Ormeau Road turned community hub, meeting employers, young participants and support organisations involved in the Neon employment pilot. A senior royal aide said Catherine had been keen to visit after the work tied into her own early years projects.

Seven employers have taken on 21 young people through Neon since the Northern Irish pilot launched in 2025, pairing job placements with ongoing community support.

The Prince FaceTimed a well-wisher's absent mother named Angela on the spot, joking that a pumpkin he spotted behind her was 'early for Halloween' as crowds laughed.

The couple were gifted wheaten bread, gin and knitted dishcloths by siblings Seth Haines, 18, and Mia, 23, as they left The Commons.