The Duke of Cambridge has been volunteering with a homelessness charity helping to pack food bags for rough sleepers.

William joined workers from The Passage on three separate occasions before Christmas and chatted to some of the homeless people being supported.

He became royal patron of the London charity in 2019 after first visiting as a young boy with his mother Diana, Princess of Wales.

Diana took him and younger brother the Duke of Sussex to the charity in December 1993, and William has since made numerous public and private visits.

During his volunteering stint before Christmas, the duke worked alongside a team of volunteers preparing hot meals for people who had recently been moved off the streets and into emergency hotel accommodation.

In July he said the UK would “never have a better chance” to “crack” the problem of homelessness thanks to the opportunity provided by Covid-19.

William’s comments were made during a visit to a drop-in day centre for Peterborough’s homeless community, and he called on society to be a “bit brave and a bit bold” and seize the chance to rehouse people permanently.

The Passage chief executive Mick Clarke said: “This year, more than ever, our army of volunteers have enabled The Passage to keep our vital services running throughout both lockdowns and the time in between.

“From our emergency food hub to fundraising, outreach to essential office support, our Home for Good programme to our residential projects, we are extremely fortunate to have such a versatile and committed group of supporters.”