Prince William is exploring the option of turning the Duchy of Cornwall, a building established by King Edward III nearly 700 years ago to provide funds for the heir to the throne, into a shelter for the homeless.

The Duchy of Cornwall is currently owned by Prince Charles, who uses the income from the property to fund family charities. Prince William, who will automatically inherit the estate once his father becomes king, is already heavily involved in the administration of the estate.

The Duke of Cambridge is interested in exploring how the estate could be used to help the homeless, especially given the sharp increase in homelessness in the wake of COVID-19. The Duke is interested in finding ways to alleviate the homeless situation as much as possible, especially since the number of homeless people has skyrocketed in the wake of COVID-19."

"The Duke is interested in finding ways to alleviate the homeless situation as much as possible," a royal official told The Telegraph.

The Duchy of Cornwall's land holdings span England and Wales, with more than 130,000 acres in 23 counties; the goal is to build 4,000 homes by 2043.

Prince William is reportedly focusing on his urban real estate holdings (for example, London has a number of Duchy of Cornwall buildings) as opposed to his farmland in Cornwall and the West Country.

The plan is still in the early exploratory stages and many logistical obstacles must be overcome before any formal moves can be made.

Prince William has long championed the cause of ending homelessness; in 2005 he became patron of Centrepoint, a charity that provides housing and support to young people across the UK, but his experience goes back much further.

In 1993, Princess Diana took William and Prince Harry to visit the homeless shelter of The Passage, a London-based charity that serves people without living accommodation.

This September, William gave a speech at The Passage's 40th anniversary celebration. He said, "Ever since I visited The Passage with my mother when I was just a little boy, I have had a great affection for everyone here.

"Every time I come here, I am touched by your warmth and friendliness, and the dignity and respect you show to each and every person who walks in the door."