To say Meghan and Harry have no right to call themselves humanitarians

[superwoker]

I know there are lot's of conflicting reports but from what homeless people in the area are saying and video clips that are circulating they really are 'cleaning the streets' of homeless people in preparation for the royal wedding. I think this is just disgusting, especially taking into account that Meghan and Harry call themselves 'humanitarians'. I'm usually a person who quite enjoys the royals but this makes my blood boil

[superwoker]

I'm not trying to have a go at them, as I've said I like the royals but surely there's something they can do to help? Even if it's just encouraging people to donate to homeless charities. Now that I've thought about it more I see why they can't stay there but surely there's a better alternative than just shooing them away or taking there belongings as in videos that have surfaced. As I said I like MandH just thought this could have been dealt with more humanely

[FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast]

They're not homeless they are beggars who arrive in the morning and leave in the evening, as others have said.
I do not believe for one moment that these are homeless residents of the area.

[superwoker]

@windswept I actually donate and fundraise to charities regularly and volunteer in a shelter whenever I can. There's a huge homeless population in my area so it's impossible not to be impacted by it in someway. Having one negative thing to say about the royals doesn't mean I hate them!

[IIIustriousIyIllogical]

I class myself as a humanitarian.

I'd still use a broom to roll a tramp off of my front garden though.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

God the media and the Tories have done a fabulous job. Blame the beggars, blame the Royals, blame the homeless charities.

[FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast]

I am not 'blaming the beggars' I am just saying I don't suppose for one minute that they are homeless residents of Windsor.

It is tragic that this is how people are driven to make money today, but painting them as 'homeless' residents is ignoring the bigger picture.

[FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast]

also, yes the homeless charities are profit driven, they have to be. it's all about money these days...
like I said, tragic.

[BrendasUmbrella]

There do seem to be far more homeless people in the centre of town lately, especially around the immediate castle area. Maybe they're collecting there, hoping to be moved to shelters instead?

[auditqueen]

The homeless issue is nothing to do with them. But in general I'd agree that this pair of self obsessed self promoting nobodies are not humanitarians.

However, the same can also be said for the other celebs virtue signalling. It is the sign of the times. Real experts are ignored because they aren't fashionable enough, whilst vacuous idiots have Centre stage to spout nonsense all the time.

[prh47bridge]

According to the police, "A scheme has been set up for those who choose to store their belongings at the Windsor Homeless Project during the Royal Wedding, and our officers have been assisting with transport of belongings, however this is entirely voluntary to ensure the safety of the homeless community".

yes the homeless charities are profit driven

No they are not. A charity cannot distribute the profits so there is no motivation to make a profit for the sake of it. Indeed, technically a charity does not make a profit. It may, however, have a surplus.

[FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast]

OK you are right...I know you are right..but I do wonder about that surplus...Honestly I could tell you some stuff right now...but it's not a great idea.

[Awwlookatmybabyspider]

Clear the streets of homeless people. Excellent ideas, I'm sure one of the many
palaces has plenty of rooms.

[Bejazzled]

sodding hell yet another Megan and Harry slag off thread
That's what I thought too Porta

Getting very repetitive

[Bejazzled]

Portia

[biscuitraider]

What do you do for homelessness OP?

That's irrelevant when we're talking about the royal family. I don't suppose the op lives in a 300 bedroom palace, but if she did there'd probably be more chance of her helping the homeless out than the royals ever would, even the "humanitarian" ones. Why think about what the poor average man in the street does for the homeless (who can barely feed themselves) when we've got a family with umpteen huge palaces at their disposal and billions in the bank. We've certainly no reason to feel guilty about the huge injustice of it all.

[Ginorchoc]

On the news this morning it was a no tents policy within a certain area for security which is obvious and sensible rather than a no homeless policy.

[superwoker]

Maybe read what I've written then @bejazzled. What time are we living in where we can't have a single criticism about the royals? I actually think MandH are great and will interest a younger crowd in the royal family and they do wonderful things for wonderful causes. This however irked me but I admit I didn't fully think it through before getting upset and posting and understand and agree with the majority of replies.

[superwoker]

don't suppose the op lives in a 300 bedroom palace, but if she did there'd probably be more chance of her helping the homeless out than the royals ever would, even the "humanitarian" ones. Why think about what the poor average man in the street does for the homeless (who can barely feed themselves) when we've got a family with umpteen huge palaces at their disposal and billions in the bank. We've certainly no reason to feel guilty about the huge injustice of it all. This is a brilliant point

[IIIustriousIyIllogical]

But in general I'd agree that this pair of self obsessed self promoting nobodies are not humanitarians.

I bet that these "nobodies" will raise more sponsorship, support and volunteers for worthy causes over their lives than the rest of us put together.

[Mousefunky]

Nothing to do with them and I believe upon hearing it they donated to a homeless charity.

[FourFriedChickensDryWhiteToast]

anyway , don't slag Hazzer off, he fought for his country in Afghanistan..:) He doesn't even seem that self-obsessed tbh.

[Hillingdon]

I used to live a few miles from Windsor. There are certainly people being shipped in from Slough and London who are causing a real nuisance on the streets. Twice I was grabbed whilst someone else tried to brush against me (feel for my purse!).

The first time I shouted out and the thieves ran off saying they were Roma's (I presume to excuse their behaviour). The second time was the 'gold ring trick'.

[Birdsgottafly]

Unless it's happening in Africa, neither Harry or MM are interested.

I don't know about now, but when this story first started, five people were genuinely homeless and were from Windsor. One Woman had, had a marriage breakdown, couldn't get accommodated by the Council and drifted into Homelessness. She stayed in Windsor because it was safer than other places, particularly for Homeless Women. She also had some support, locally, which meant that she ate and washed every day. Another Woman lost her Housing benefit, after her Daughter left home and she was transferred onto UC. The Man who lives in the bus stop, his Mum visits him everyday. She is in a pensioners flat, which doesn't allow guests.

Whilst there may be professional beggars (as there are everywhere), the Homeless Charity (which was started after the death of a street sleeper in 2009) says that the rough sleepers, who were from the area, are having Criminal Behaviour Orders used against them and are being targeted just for rough sleeping.

The Charity are selling Royal Memorabilia.

So it doesn't matter if anyone believes it, it has been happening.

[WorldWideWanderer]

I live in the area.... No, the streets haven't been purged of homeless people and nothing to do with Harry and Meghan.
There was a councillor who wanted the homeless removed, he gave a very biased interview which received an outcry in response.
The homeless on the streets remained, they were not removed. Most of them are in genuine need and yes, they do sleep out all night here.
However, since the area attracts lots of tourists, it also attracts beggars who are not genuine and who do commute in, hoping to make money from the tourist crowds. The genuine homeless do not accost passers-by and are grateful for money as well as food. They are known to the local police who often chat to them and try to help.

At the moment the security here is astonishing and everyone loitering has to be checked, there is no choice about that. We now have the union-jack dressed brigade who are also camped out, keeping their prime places in readiness for the day itself....they have been allowed to remain as well.

[Motherofallbeasts]

It's a security measure - they do it before the Olympics and big football matches too. Also a lot of beggars/pickpockets/thieves and opportunists would descend on Windsor in the run up to the wedding. I work with homeless people and travelling communities and have heard people in Rochdale discussing going to Windsor this week so it isn't hyperbole.