Prince William reveals his bald patch as he helps celebrate a charity's 40th anniversary

By Georgina Littlejohn

Losing their hair can be every young man's biggest fear.

But when you're a public figure under the scrutiny of the camera lens on a regular basis, the fear can become something of a nightmare.

So spare a thought for poor Prince William whose receding and patchy hairline was only too obvious under the flashbulbs as he visited a homeless charity in London today.

Hereditary: William, looking uncannily like his uncle Prince Edward, who is also balding, reveals his patchy hairline


His maternal grandfather, Earl Spencer, was always thin on top, as is William's father Prince Charles and his uncle Prince Edward.

But say one thing for the 27-year-old Prince - he didn't seem too concerned about concealing his thinning crown from the glare of the strip lights and the camera flash.

William has been a public supporter of the charity, which was a favourite cause of his mother Diana, Princess of Wales, since he became its Royal Patron in 2005.

Happy anniversary: A helpful William slice up and hands out slice of cake to workers and homeless people

Today he helped Centrepoint celebrate its 40th anniversary and began by cooking a slap-up breakfast for some of the young homeless people that charity helps.

But even a Prince is not exempt from the health and safety police, after he revealed that he hadn't been allowed anywhere near a frying pan without getting some careful instruction first.

He joked: 'Obviously my breakfast skills are horrendous. I wasn't allowed to cook an egg without an hour's health and safety briefing.'

His cooking skills, however, were given the seal of approval from the Greek Street hostel's residents.

Aspring musician Tresor, 21, said: 'Best sausage and eggs I have had cooked by a prince.'

William replied: Yeah thanks, mate. The money's in the post.'



Delicious: He happily accepts a piece of cake before politely wiping his
mouth of crumbs

After breakfast, William then sliced up pieces of a specially-designed cake and dished it out to the residents.

Dressed casually in jeans, trainers and a sweatshirt, he laughed as one women rushed forward to take the first piece and teased: 'My willing assistant will demonstrate how to eat it.'

As he licked icing off his fingers, he chatted and joked with workers, homeless people and those that have benefited from the charity over the last four decades.

He then praised the charity and its staff, who work with more than 800 clients and provide a range of accommodation-based services, including emergency night shelters and short-stay hostels.

Name that tune: William talks to a young musican at the charity's Soho branch

William said: 'It's fantastic to see where it's come to and where it's going to go to, and this is just a stepping stone in its future and I hope to be able to support it for the foreseeable future.

And he said he really like the relaxed atmosphere of his visits, adding: 'It's much more intimate than doing a big place all suited up and stuff (where) you don't really get to actually talk to the guys and girls and actually hear their stories and find out a bit more about them.

'For me it's much more rewarding because it's more interesting and I think because there's a bit more feeling to it.'

Like mother, like son: William talks to Centrepoint residents with the same tilted beaming smile as the late Princess Diana, as he continues her
legacy with his charity work

Earlier this year, the kind-hearted Prince hosted a dinner at the State Apartments in St. James’s Palace to commemorate the anniversary.
Centrepoint was started in the winter of 1969 by a young curate called Ken Leech, who opened the basement of his church, St Anne's in Soho, to help people sleeping rough in London's West End.
There are now now 16 services across London for 16 to 25-year-olds including young ex-offenders' accommodation, a centre for pregnant women and single mothers, and Safe Stop, which offers nine days of emergency accommodation to youngsters in danger of sleeping rough.


source: dailymail