The former England footballer Paul Gascoigne had an affectionate encounter with the Prince of Wales after popping up in a Pret a Manger where the royal was highlighting his homelessness campaign. The one-time England midfielder was among staff and diners at the sandwich chain in Bournemouth as William dropped in to help out as part of his Homewards initiative. The two shook hands as William inquired after Gascoigne, 56, who has faced battles with his mental health and addiction. A beaming Gascoigne, who said he lived in nearby Sandbanks, replied he was “a lot better” before leaning in to embrace the prince and plant a kiss on his cheek. William was at the shop to learn more about the company’s commitment to expand its longstanding Rising Stars programme, which helps break the cycle of homelessness by providing support, training and employment. Over the next five years it is expected to expand by 40%, supporting at least 500 people experiencing, or at risk of, homelessness into jobs at Pret’s UK shops. Afterwards William said it had been a “very interesting morning”. The prince was also visiting AFC Bournemouth’s Vitality Stadium to hear about the club’s work in the community to support those at risk of homelessness, and commitment to expanding their projects as part of Homewards. The visits follow on from the June launch of Homewards, which aims to play a role in demonstrating that it is possible to end homelessness – “making it rare, brief, and unrepeated”. Bournemouth is one of the six flagship Homewards locations, with William meeting local and national businesses that have pledged their support. The five-year locally led Homewards programme was created by the Royal Foundation of the Prince and Princess of Wales, to take a transformative approach to the issue of homelessness. Homewards will give its six flagship locations, new space, tools, and relationships to demonstrate what can be achieved through a collective effort focused on preventing homelessness in their areas.