Prince William came face-to-face with victims of homelessness as he hosted a dinner at St James's Palace for charity Centrepoint.

He sat next to Emilyn Hutchinson, 19, who turned to Centrepoint when she was thrown out of her home in Shepherd's Bush two years ago.

Miss Hutchinson, a psychology student, said she had problems at home and her father kicked her out. "But Centrepoint gave me so many opportunities," she added. "They raise the awareness of homelessness. It can happen to anyone, it's not just some druggie you see on the streets."

It was the first time William - patron of the charity since 2005 - has held such an event at St James's Palace and he said: "My brother and I were lucky enough to grow up supported by the love and nurturing of our family.

"So many young people have none of this. It is for them that Centrepoint represents the difference between misery and dejection and a sense of hope."

The charity offers accommodation to more than 800 homeless people and runs emergency night shelters. It also has projects for care-leavers, ex-offenders and young single parents.

top table student helped by homelessness charity has best seat at prince's palace dinner

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