New Delhi, Aug. 14 -- In December 2009, years before launching his national Homewards project, Prince William spent a winter night sleeping rough in London to better understand life without a home. Then in his late 20s, he lay in a sleeping bag in a quiet alleyway near rubbish bins, alongside Centrepoint chief executive Seyi Obakin, ABC reported.

The temperature plunged to -4degC, and the future king endured not only bitter cold but also moments of danger, including a close call with a road sweeper. Speaking to ABC News at the time, William admitted he could not "even begin to imagine what it is like to 'sleep rough' night after night." He said he hoped the experience would deepen his understanding so he could "do [his] bit to help the m...