Prince William celebrates Centrepoint’s 40th anniversary

Prince William meets Centrepoint supporters Ben de Lisi and Tamara Bekwith

This was the Prince’s first such dinner at the State Apartments and there was an air of youth and vitality in the beautiful and historic rooms, as young people living with Centrepoint dressed beautifully in DJs and evening dresses mixed with celebrity supporters Kirsty Young, Sara Cox and Lisa Maxwell. Tamara Beckwith also attended the event with her husband Georgio and Centrepoint 40th anniversary ambassador and fashion designer Ben de Lisi.

The guests enjoyed a champagne reception, followed by a three course dinner and speeches.  A former Centrepoint resident, Emilyn Hutchinson, spoke of her time as a homeless young person before she came to live with the charity. She said:

“I have much to thank the dedicated Centrepoint staff for as they helped me to have a second chance at life, by helping me get back into college, supporting me through my depression and giving me a family.”

She continued:

The English Gents wow the audience

“If you ask a young person who has resided at a Centrepoint project what it means to them, most would answer a chance for a new beginning, some might say support that they would not have received anywhere else. A few might answer a family that they never had… However, I truly believe that there are no words to express what Centrepoint means for me, as it is all those things and so much more.”

As pudding was served, the English Gents – a spectacular acrobatic duo – entertained the room with feats of strength and gymnastic dexterity. The audience was then moved by Jools Holland and Ruby Turner's recital of Billy Preston’s “You are so beautiful”.  

See more pictures from the evening here.