Royal copies Prince William as she speaks out about 'pain and indignity'

Sophie Winkleman has taken a leaf out of Prince William's book (Image: Getty)

Lady Frederick Windsor has taken a leaf out of Prince William's book, as she has been spotted selling the Big Issue in Central London. Sophie Winkleman - as she is otherwise known - married Prince and Princess Michael of Kent's son, Lord Frederick Windsor, in 2009 and has been an ambassador for the Big Issue for the last five years.

Speaking to Hello! Magazine, Sophie spoke about how homelessness is a topic she and her two daughters, Maud and Isabella, frequently speak about. She explained: "Both my girls feel enraged that we live in a society where homelessness is accepted. How the hell is it OK to walk past someone sleeping in the street? No one should have to endure that pain and indignity – and the Big Issue is a family and a community for people who've fallen on seriously hard times."

Sophie, who balances her private charity work with her acting career, which has seen her star in shows such as Two and a Half Men and Peep Show, continued: "I'm proud that both girls feel immense compassion and empathy for homeless people, rather than any kind of judgment. All three of us feel it could happen to anyone, including us if we hadn't had stable families and an income from both parents.”

Lady Frederick Windsor revealed she speaks about homelessness with her daughters, Maud and Isabella (Image: Getty)

Sophie has been an ambassador for the Big Issue since 2020, after she wrote to Lord John Bird, the charity’s co-founder, to congratulate him on an article.

Sophie explained to the magazine: "When he wrote back and suggested we meet, I was truly starstruck – he's a heroic man. We got on instantly, and he asked me to be an ambassador soon after that. It's one of the great honours of my life."

With Christmas now just around the corner, it is more crucial than ever to show your support, Sophie says. "It's important to buy the Big Issue at Christmas, because your local vendor is someone who has hauled themselves up from a very low place and should be honoured and treasured. Also, if you can afford to buy yourself a nice hot coffee on the way to work, you can afford to buy a Big Issue.

"You're not just giving when you buy the Big Issue, you're receiving – not just a great magazine, but also a moment of connection with someone who's been truly brave. What better way to spend a fiver?"

Prince William has been spotted selling the Big Issue before (Image: The Big Issue)

Sophie is not the only member of the Royal Family to have been a vocal supporter of the Big Issue as Prince William has been spotted selling the magazine several times before.

A passionate supporter of homelessness charities, William shared his view in a Big Issue article for his 40th birthday back in 2022. He said: “So, for my part, I commit to continue doing what I can to shine a spotlight on this solvable issue not just today, but in the months and years to come. And in the years ahead, I hope to bring George, Charlotte and Louis to see the fantastic organisations doing inspiring work to support those most in need – just as my mother did for me.”

As well as supporting the Big Issue and charities such as Centrepoint and The Passage, William has founded his own homelessness initiative, Homewards, which aims to prove that it is possible to end homelessness, making it "rare, brief and unrepeated."