Ahead of the annual Pride parade in London and in recognition of the 50th anniversary of the Stonewall uprising, the Duke of Cambridge visited Albert Kennedy Trust (akt) in east London on Wednesday, to learn about homelessness among LGBTQ+ youth and the positive change akt are bringing through their preventative and early action approach.
During a chat with some of the young people being supported by the organisation, Prince William, who celebrated his 37th birthday last week, was asked how he would feel if one of his children – Prince George, 5, Princess Charlotte, 4, or Prince Louis, 1 – came out as gay or identified as LGBTQ+.
Prince William was asked how he’d feel if one of his children came out as gay. (Image: Getty)
“It is something that I’m nervous about,” Prince William replied.
“Not because I’m worried about them being gay or anything, it’s more about the fact that I’m worried about the pressures, as you are all worried about here, and about how much harder their life could be.
“So from a parent point of view, that’s the angle I worry about is that I wish we lived in a world that, as you said, that it was really normal, but particularly for my family with the position that we are in, that’s the bit that I’m nervous about.”
Adding: “I fully support whatever decision they make, but it does worry me from a parent point of view how many barriers you know, hateful words, persecution all that discrimination that might come with it, that’s the bit that really troubles me.
“But that’s for all of us to try and help correct and make sure we can put that to the past and not come back to that society.”
Earlier that day he also revealed it was something that he and Duchess Catherine had already talked about, The Guardian reports.
He said that while it was “obviously, absolutely fine by me,” he was worried about how to best support his children, considering their role in the public eye.
During his visit Prince William also chatted to 28-year-old Faz Bukhari, who experienced issues at home when his family reacted badly to him coming out as transgender.
He was one of the first people akt supported at their ‘Purple Door’ safe house, a service which provides emergency safe housing for LGBTQ+ youth and helps them secure future safe, long-term housing, employment, training and debt management solutions.
Telling reporters what he thought about William’s answers to the question he said it was “so good” to see that he “recognises that and is aware there could be backlash, he understands the issues and hopefully with his comments we can get more awareness across to more parents of the issues.”
While this is the first time the royal father-of-three has spoken about what he would think if his children were to identify as LGBTQ+, it’s not the first time he’s shown support to the community, posing for the cover of gay magazine Attitude in June 2016.
WATCH: Prince William stars on cover of gay magazine ‘Attitude’. Story continues below…
The Duke and Duchess of Sussex are also celebrating the LGBTQ+ community this month.
The couple announced earlier this year that each month will be dedicated to supporting specific cause or theme, where they solely follow accounts supporting the said cause.
This month the couple are supporting Pride month, posting a collage of images on June 1st, with a number of notable accounts tagged, who support the LGBTQ+ community.
“Continuing with our tradition to rotate the accounts we follow based on causes and social issues that matter to us: For the month of June we “proudly” shine light on pride,” the post began.
“This month we pay tribute to the accounts supporting the LGBTQ+ community – those young and old, their families and friends, accounts that reflect on the past and are hopeful for a deservedly more inclusive future.
Adding: “We stand with you and support you 🌈. Because it’s very simple: love is love.”
