Almost unrecognized: Prince William sells homeless newspaper

To support the homeless people in London, Prince William came up with a very special campaign: he appeared as a seller of a homeless newspaper.

Almost unrecognized: Prince William sells homeless newspaper

To support the homeless people in London, Prince William came up with a very special campaign: he appeared as a seller of a homeless newspaper. And so inconspicuously that some almost didn't recognize him.

Without much fanfare, Prince William has campaigned for a good cause. The 39-year-old Royal sold the street newspaper "The Big Issue" in London. He wore a distinctive red vest and cap that identify homeless people as official vendors.

Pictures are circulating on social networks showing the Queen's grandson on the street. "An unexpected meeting with Prince William," writes an Instagram user named Vitalijus Zuikauskas on a photo of the two. The Lithuanian recently traveled to the UK to celebrate Elizabeth II's platinum jubilee.

At first he couldn't believe that he just met the prince on the street, Zuikauskas explained in an interview with "The Daily Telegraph". Prince William was "really very kind" and agreed to a photo without further ado. For him it was "a huge and pleasant surprise" - and the highlight of the visit, according to Zuikauskas.

A cashier from a nearby store also told the newspaper that William's assignment as the seller of "The Big Issue" lasted "a good 45 minutes". The prince was very "down to earth", which is why people did not recognize him at first. In addition to "The Daily Telegraph", numerous other British media such as the BBC have now reported on William's "undercover" action.

As with other street magazines, the sale of "The Big Issue" aims to provide income for the homeless. William himself or a spokesman for the royal family initially did not comment on the prince's surprise appearance.

The action came just days after the Queen's four-day Platinum Jubilee celebrations, which ended with much pomp. Maybe it is intended as a sign from the prince to the poorer population that they should not be forgotten with all the cinnabar. Then that would really be a royal gesture.